Michael J. Fox is being honored by Canada for his Parkinson’s disease activism. The Back to the Future actor made a rare public appearance Friday as he was promoted to the companion level of the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honor awarded to Canadians.
The Michael J. Fox Order of Canada recognition highlights his decades of advocacy. His work through the Michael J. Fox Foundation has funded more than $3 billion in research for Parkinson’s disease since he founded the organization in 2000, shortly after revealing his own diagnosis. Governor General Louise Arbour praised Fox during the ceremony, saying: “Your example reminds us of something that’s very fundamental: sustainable progress requires that we move forward with courage, imagination and determination. After all, back to the future has always been a much better idea than forward to the past.”
Fox, who was born in Edmonton and raised in Vancouver, was first appointed as an officer of the Order of Canada in 2010. The promotion to Companion is reserved for those who have made extraordinary contributions to Canada and the world. Fox received a standing ovation from the crowd, which included Governor General Arbour and other dignitaries. He has continued to advocate for Parkinson’s research and has been candid about his own health journey. He did not speak at length during the ceremony but acknowledged the honor with a wave and a smile.
