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The Michael J. Fox Foundation: Speeding a Cure for Parkinson’s Disease
To honor her mother, Merrie, who has Parkinson’s, Meredith Boone Tutterow ran a marathon for Team Fox, the community fundraising arm of The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Meredith admits, however, she’s not a natural born runner. “Some people run a marathon through sheer force of will,” she says. “I’m one of those people.”
At 40, Meredith knew if she ever ran a marathon, it was now or never. She challenged her mom’s sister, Susan McClellan, 60, who had run marathons before, to race with her. Susan recruited her friend, Patty Elkus, 50, to run with them. And their team, the Merrie Miles, was born.
“For 18 weeks, all I did was work, run and sleep,” says Meredith, who finished in just over five hours, Susan and Patty not far behind. “Completing the marathon — and seeing my whole family cheering me on along the way — was a peak life experience. My mom and dad saw me run. And so did my kids.”
The Merrie Miles raised over $40,000 to help speed a cure for Parkinson’s. Meredith says, “People from all points of our lives supported our team, to honor my parents.”
Through her family’s involvement with Team Fox, Merrie found it easier and became more public about her Parkinson’s. “It helped us deal with the disease a little bit better,” says her husband, Dan. “She’s learned to embrace it — and that you can turn it into something truly positive.”
Merrie and her family are among the thousands of Team Fox members who believe in The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s mission to speed a cure for Parkinson’s. Since 2006, these individuals have raised over $20 million for MJFF by participating in athletic events — such as the BMO Vancouver Marathon — and hosting their own fundraisers. Along with critical dollars for research, Team Fox members also raise awareness for Parkinson’s in their communities.
As the world’s largest private funder of Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program, and has invested over $300 million in research to date.
In 2009, MJFF officially registered as a Canadian charity. But the Foundation has received a steady outpouring of Canadian support since its launch in 2000. Canadian researchers have been actively involved in our scientific agenda since the early days. Individuals from all over the country have stepped up to promote Parkinson’s disease awareness by investing in our research, joining Team Fox, or volunteering for clinical research through Fox Trial Finder.
For more information about the Foundation, Team Fox and how you can get involved, visit www.michaeljfox.org.
Be a Charity Runner for TEAM FOX
Run and raise funds for TEAM FOX and enjoy an exciting RUN4HOPE running package!
- FREE race registration
- FREE training clinic with the Running Room
- RUN4HOPE tech training shirt
- RUN4HOPE express line package pick up at the expo
- RUN4HOPE express line gear check at the start line
- RUN4HOPE express line gear pick up at the finish line
- RUN4HOPE start line warm up tent
As a Charity Runner, you commit to raising a minimum of $1000 dollars for Team Fox, and will receive fundraising tools and support directly from the charity to help make your fundraising a success. Take your running to another level by making a big impact for our community!
Learn more here