Overview
- A YouTube PSA from The Michael J. Fox Foundation featuring Michael J. Fox and Harrison Ford was released on Wednesday and aims to show practical ways friends can stay connected to people living with Parkinson’s.
- The two actors use frank, often humorous advice in the spot, offering concrete tips such as “don’t make it weird,” “start simple,” “help, don’t fix,” and “keep showing up.”
- Ryan Reynolds’ production company Maximum Effort created the campaign, leveraging the actors’ chemistry from the Apple TV series Shrinking to make conversations about Parkinson’s more approachable.
- The foundation says the campaign is designed to reduce social isolation and steer public attention and support toward its research and patient programs.
- Michael J. Fox’s long-running advocacy frames the effort: he founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation after going public about his 1991 diagnosis and will receive the 2026 Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.