Michael J. Fox, principal figure in the fight to cure Parkinson’s Disease, received the Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award, one of the Reform Jewish Movement’s highest honors today. Below are his remarks:

I’d like to thank Rabbi Yoffie for inviting me to the Biennial, and for the tremendous honor of this award. It’s humbling to find myself in the company of the humanitarian giants who have been recognized by URJ before me.

Some of you heard me talk about stem cell research at the Religious Action Center in 2005. In thinking about Bearer of Light and the legacy of Rabbi Eisendrath — his tireless commitment to the principles of tikkun olam, “repairing the world” — I wanted to talk today about how we all carry out this legacy, whether on a world stage or simply in the context of our own lives. (Or both.)

We launched The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000, shortly after I went public with my PD diagnosis. I can’t say that when we started we really knew what we were up against. Our original intention was to cut through red tape, get money to scientists fast and speed new treatments to patients.

There is an in depth article on Professor Jeffery Sachs, who will be given the Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award next week during the Biennial, in this month’s Vanity Fair. There is also a wonderful interview with Michael J. Fox, who will also receive this honor in San Diego, by NBC’s The Today Show. Click on the links below to read more.

Jeffrey Sachs's $200 Billion Dream

Michael J. Fox isn’t letting disease define him