TAKING
PARKINSON’S
PUBLIC POLICY TO
WASHINGTON
on page 10
FOCUS
O N PA R K I N S O N ’ S
Foundation Releases Parkinson’s Clinical
Trial Companion Educational Resource
Multimedia Suite Aims to Help Increase Flow of Volunteers into Studies
by MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION STAFF
When Dan Kinel, 48, was diagnosed with
Parkinson’s disease (PD) nearly five years ago,
clinical trials were nowhere on his radar. Several
months after his diagnosis, the husband, father of
two and lawyer from Rochester, New York found
himself staying at the same hotel where The Michael
J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) was hosting its first
clinical trial fair. He decided to stop by and, to his
surprise, ended up signing up for a trial. Since, Dan
has taken part in more than 15 studies, including
several using technology to connect researchers and
patients. “I find them empowering,” he says. “I’m
participating directly in finding a cure. Maybe I’m
helping myself, but I’m also helping my kids or their
kids down the line.”
Dan is one of eight people with Parkinson’s who are
featured in the Parkinson’s Clinical Trial Companion,
a multimedia educational suite for people with PD
and their loved ones interested in participating in
research. Released by MJFF in April, it includes
a downloadable book and videos highlighting
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In This Issue
3 6 12 21
A Genetics
Revolution in
Parkinson’s
Research Spring/Summer
2018 Research
Briefs Dr. Dolhun
Talks Gut and
Parkinson’s Team Fox: Kids
and Teens Help
Speed a Cure
Spring/Summer 2018
THE FOX