The Michael J. Fox Foundation Unveils Redesigned Web Site with Focus on Usability, Engagement and Rich Visual Experience

NEW YORK, June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research launched a completely revamped www.michaeljfox.org, the Foundation's first major Web site redesign in five years.  The new Michaeljfox.org  offers a streamlined user experience and dynamic content introducing the Foundation's research priorities, patient resources and opportunities for engagement. A rich taxonomy exposes content that may naturally live in one section but is relevant to where the user is within our site. In this way, the site creates an intuitive and organic user experience. 

"Our Foundation is committed to digital innovation and entrepreneurship to better meet the needs of the Parkinson's community," says Laxmi Wordham, Chief Digital Officer for The Michael J. Fox Foundation.  "Our goal is to create a platform where Parkinson's patients, caregivers, supporters and researchers can come together to learn, connect and get involved."

Noticeable updates include social media integration, including a featured role for the Foundation's "FoxFeed" blog, improved site search, infographics and robust patient and caregiver resources.

In recognition of the Foundation's increasing role as a facilitator of community engagement in Parkinson's research, the site redesign more fully integrates the patient and caregiver perspective and experience. The site is organized around four sections: About the Foundation, Understanding Parkinson's, Get Involved and Accelerate Your Research. 

The "Understanding Parkinson's" section has grown and now includes dynamic, frequently updated content on the multi-faceted aspects of PD, from the medical to the emotional to the financial, as well as personal stories and profiles of members of the Parkinson's community.

For researchers, the "Accelerate Your Research" section was designed to streamline and simplify the process of applying for grants and accessing MJFF-driven research tools. Investigators can apply for funding, browse catalogs of laboratory reagents and pre-clinical models available at low cost, and apply for use of data and samples from PPMI, the Foundation's landmark open-source clinical study seeking to validate Parkinson's disease biomarkers.

The Foundation has also brought formerly separate Web properties — notably Teamfox.org and many of the resources formerly housed at PD Online Research — together under the banner of michaeljfox.org, making it easier to get involved with the different brands and programs that are part of the Foundation's mission to speed a cure. The Foundation's clinical trial matching and database tool, Fox Trial Finder, remains independent, partially due to the stringent security protocols required to safeguard clinical trial volunteers' privacy.

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 $297 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; www.facebook.com/michaeljfoxfoundation.

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