The Michael J. Fox Foundation teams with UCB, Inc. to share patient stories of living with Parkinson's disease

NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) has teamed up with the biopharmaceutical company UCB, Inc. to create the "Tell Us Your Story" Facebook campaign. The campaign aims to encourage members of the Parkinson's community to share their personal experience with the disease while raising dollars for high-impact research.

"The Michael J. Fox Foundation is committed to expanding our online community so we can hear and engage with thousands of voices from the Parkinson's community," said Laxmi Wordham, chief digital officer, MJFF. "The 'Tell Us Your Story' campaign will harness inspiring voices from around the world and amplify their stories of Parkinson's disease to raise awareness and critical funds for Parkinson's research." 

Through December 31, participants can access the "Tell Us Your Story" application through the MJFF Facebook page and in 500 words or less share with their own social circle how Parkinson's disease (PD) affects their lives.  For every "Like" or "Share" a story receives within the "Tell Us Your Story" application, UCB, Inc. will donate $5, up to $60,000, to support MJFF's ambitious research to speed a cure for Parkinson's. 

Every donation captured through the "Tell Us Your Story" campaign will be matched dollar-for-dollar as part of the Foundation's Brin Wojcicki Challenge, which doubles new and increased giving through year-end, making the total potential contribution $120,000.

The Facebook application was designed through the pro-bono services of the social technology company Syncapse, ensuring that every dollar raised through the "Tell Us Your Story" campaign will be allocated to PD research initiatives.

"Finding a cure for Parkinson's disease is a cause that hits close to home," said Michael Scissons, CEO and founder, Syncapse. "The Syncapse team has donated its marketing expertise and innovative social technologies to empower The Michael J. Fox Foundation in its mission of raising awareness and funding for Parkinson's research."

Patient focus has been the core value of the Foundation's research efforts since its inception in 2000.  The Foundation has a strong track record of efficiency, with 88 cents of every dollar spent going straight to the research effort toward breakthroughs patients can feel in their everyday lives.

"Many people with Parkinson's keep their story to themselves," said Carey Christensen, a Parkinson's patient advocate and member of the Foundation's Patient Council. "But speaking from my experience, sharing your story brings an amazing feeling of empowerment."

To hear more about the research efforts of MJFF or to find out how you can become a part of the MJFF community, please visit http://www.michaeljfox.org.

About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
As the world's largest private funder of Parkinson's research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers.  In addition to funding more than $304 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. Now through December 31, 2012, all new and increased giving to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, as well as gifts from donors who have not given since 2010 or earlier, will be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with the $50-million Brin Wojcicki Challenge, launched by Sergey Brin and Anne Wojcicki.

For more information, visit: www.michaeljfox.org

About UCB, Inc.
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With more than 8,500 people in about 40 countries, the company generated revenue of EUR 3.2 billion in 2011. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).

About Syncapse
Syncapse helps the world's top global consumer marketers to increase performance by understanding and optimizing consumer connections across social venues like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Syncapse's social marketing services and technologies empower hundreds of brands for companies including The Coca-Cola Company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Amway, Diageo, L'Oreal, and Reckitt Benckiser.

SOURCE The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research