The Michael J. Fox Foundation Connects with the Global Parkinson’s Community at World Parkinson Congress 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona

In May, The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) joined thousands of members of the global Parkinson's community at the 7th World Parkinson Congress (WPC) in Phoenix, Arizona. The event brought together people living with Parkinson's disease (PD), care partners, researchers, clinicians and advocates from more than 62 countries to share knowledge, celebrate progress and discuss the future of Parkinson's research and care.

Held every three years, WPC is the largest international conference dedicated exclusively to Parkinson's disease. This year's Congress marked the event's 20th anniversary and its return to North America for the first time in a decade. More than 3,900 attendees participated, including 25 MJFF staff.

The Congress event agenda and partner alley reflected the palpable momentum being felt across the field and provided an opportunity to highlight the significant advances made since the last Congress in Barcelona in 2023.

The Congress provided a powerful platform for members of MJFF staff, Patient Council, Team Fox, and advocacy networks to showcase the diverse ways they are advancing the Foundation's mission, engaging the Parkinson's community, and helping speed breakthroughs toward a cure.

"The World Parkinson Congress provides a rare opportunity for the entire Parkinson's community to come together - people living with Parkinson's, care partners, researchers, clinicians and advocates. This year's Congress was a powerful reminder of the remarkable progress that is happening in the scientific pipeline and of how much progress we can accomplish when we come together," said Sohini Chowdhury, MJFF chief program officer. "The Foundation was honored to join colleagues from around the world in advancing the collaboration and shared sense of urgency that will drive the next generation of breakthroughs."

MJFF staff members spoke on a variety of informative panels, advancing discussions on the latest scientific developments, research updates, policy priorities and more.

• Eda Baykal-Caglar, MJFF director of patient engagement and Ethan Henderson, MJFF senior philanthropy relationship manager, spoke at a pre-congress session on clinical research participation, using a case study to explore key considerations and decision-making factors for prospective clinical trial participants.

• Maggie Kuhl, MJFF, head of patient engagement moderated a session on understanding Parkinson's risk, exploring what current research is revealing about factors associated with developing the disease.

• Dan Feehan, MJFF chief policy and government affairs officer led a fireside chat discussing the latest public policy priorities.

MJFF Patient Council members shared valuable resources, contributed their lived expertise across a variety of panels, and played an integral role in helping coordinate the Congress from start to finish.

"Attending the World Parkinson Congress for the first time was an experience I will never forget. As someone living with Parkinson's, it was incredibly inspiring to see so many people, from researchers and clinicians to advocates, care partners, and patients, working together with a shared commitment to finding a cure and making life better for those of us living with the disease," said Lisa Volenec, MJFF Patient Council member and Founder of This is Parkinson's. "What touched me most was meeting so many fellow Parkinson's warriors who face this illness every day with courage, determination, and grace. The Congress left me feeling inspired, hopeful, and reminded that none of us are fighting this journey alone."

(Lisa shared more of her Parkinson's journey and work with the community recently with anchor Michael Strahan of ABC's Good Morning America. Watch the full segment here.)

MJFF Patient Council member Denise Coley and her husband and care partner, Bernard Coley, received the WPC Robin A. Elliott Award for Outstanding Community Service. The award recognizes individuals whose dedication, leadership, advocacy and innovative work have improved the lives of people living with Parkinson's disease and their care partners.

Access the Foundation's multitude of resources on living well with Parkinson's, care partner support, information on clinical trials and research, tools to get involved and more in the digital library here.

Follow along on Foundation updates on our website michaeljfox.org and on social media at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Photo Gallery

• Lucy Peterson

  Corporate Communications Specialist