Michael J. Fox fans from across the world came together to sweetly react to the heartwarming moment that Joe Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In response to footage of the moment going viral on X (previously known as Twitter), social media users expressed their joy that the 63-year-old television superstar was recognized for his work advocating for Parkinson’s disease research and awareness.
‘This is amazing. Congratulations to Michael J. Fox,’ one tweeted, alongside a video of the emotional ceremony, in which he received the US’ highest civilian honor.
A second gushed: ‘We really don’t deserve Michael J. Fox. What a wonderful human.’
‘Bless this man and his entire family,’ a third raved as other marveled at how he has spent decades changing the world and making it a better place.
A third wrote: ‘He certainly deserves it. I admire him so much. Parkinson’s is not easy. But he keeps pushing.’
Michael J. Fox fans from across the world came together to sweetly react to the heartwarming moment that President Joe Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is presented to individuals who make ‘exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States’ and beyond, according to the White House.
Among the list of recipients that also received the honor on Saturday are Hillary Clinton, former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, fashionista and Vogue head Anna Wintour, designer Ralph Lauren, and scientist Jane Goodall, among others.
‘President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else,’ a press release read.
‘These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.’
Michael J. Fox is best known for his role in Back to the Future, and throughout his career, he won five Emmy Awards, four Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Grammy.
The actor was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 29 and became a leading voice for research on the incurable condition.
He started the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which is based in New York.
‘He is a world-renowned advocate for Parkinson’s disease research and development,’ the White House said.
Fox first revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1998 and, two years later, established The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000.
In response to footage of the moment going viral on X (previously known as Twitter ), social media users expressed their joy that the 63-year-old television superstar was recognized for his work advocating for Parkinson’s disease research and awareness
https://x.com/krassenstein/status/1875671575141478908
‘This is amazing. Congratulations to Michael J. Fox,’ one tweeted, alongside a video of the emotional ceremony, in which he received the US’ highest civilian honor
A second gushed: ‘We really don’t deserve Michael J. Fox. What a wonderful human’
‘Bless this man and his entire family,’ a third raved as other marveled at how he has spent decades changing the world and making it a better place
Since then, the foundation—founded alongside his wife of 36 years, Tracy —has raised over $2 billion for Parkinson’s research.
In 2023, the foundation celebrated a major breakthrough: research funded by the organization identified a biomarker that can detect Parkinson’s before symptoms appear, a milestone Fox was deeply proud of.
‘It was one of the few times I cried about what we were doing. We wanted to find a way to diagnose the disease before the symptoms are there,’ he shared with People.
‘Because then we could treat it, and you’d never have it. It was a big break—and a great moment,’ he admitted.