Additional Coverage:
- ‘Back to the Future’ Star Michael J. Fox, 65, Receives ‘Highest Civilian Honor’ Amid Parkinson’s Battle (parade.com)
Michael J. Fox Honored with Canada’s Highest Civilian Award for Parkinson’s Advocacy
On Friday, Michael J. Fox received one of Canada’s most prestigious honors, being promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada. The celebrated actor was met with a standing ovation at a ceremony held at Rideau Hall, where Governor General Louise Arbour formally bestowed the honor in recognition of his unwavering advocacy for those living with Parkinson’s disease.
Rideau Hall praised Fox for his “powerful global advocacy and unflinching honesty about Parkinson’s,” highlighting his decades-long commitment to raising awareness and advancing research into the progressive neurological disorder he publicly disclosed in 1998.
Reflecting on the moment, Fox shared with The Canadian Press his deep connection to his Canadian roots. “It’s so many things.
But mostly it’s just growing up in Canada, loving this country, loving what it stands for and how it’s progressed and corrected course when it needed to, and stayed the course when it needed to,” he said. He added with humility, “At the end, you have a 65-year-old guy who’s uniquely Canadian because of all those things.”
Fox’s dedication extends beyond advocacy; in 2000, he established the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has become a leading force in funding Parkinson’s research. He recently told People magazine, “I’m privileged to commit my time and energy to bringing everything I’ve got to help cure this disease.”
Despite the challenges Parkinson’s has presented over the years, Fox remains candid about its impact on his life and perspective. “Of course, things have gotten harder over the years,” he acknowledged.
He also reflected on how his diagnosis shifted his views on fame and success: “You think about a 19-year-old, 17-year-old kid, you want to be rich and famous and change the world, and you want to be the big ‘it’ thing. And when you start to search for a cure for a disease, that stuff is just so silly,” he told USA Today.
Michael J. Fox’s promotion to Companion of the Order of Canada stands as a testament not only to his remarkable career but also to his tireless commitment to making a difference for millions affected by Parkinson’s worldwide.