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Apellis Partners with Acclaimed Actor Henry Winkler to Raise Awareness of Geographic Atrophy (GA) for the GA Won’t Wait™ Campaign
GA is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and a leading cause of blindness that impacts approximately one million AmericansWinkler and
About this update from Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"GA is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and a leading cause of blindness that impacts approximately one million AmericansWinkler and his family saw firsthand the impact of vision loss by caring for his father-in-law who was living with AMDCampaign encourages older adults to monitor and discuss vision changes with an eye doctor A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on the image or link below: WALTHAM, Mass., April 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (Nasdaq: APLS) today announced a new campaign with acclaimed actor Henry Winkler to raise awareness of geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and a leading cause of blindness. The GA Won’t Wait™ campaign helps older adults and their families understand and recognize the symptoms of this progressive and irreversible disease. Together, Apellis and Winkler are empowering people over the age of 60 to monitor and discuss vision changes with an eye doctor, such as a retina specialist, ophthalmologist, or optometrist. Winkler has personally seen how vision loss caused by AMD can affect an individual and their loved ones. His father-in-law Ed, with whom he shared a close relationship, was diagnosed with AMD, causing him to lose his central vision and, ultimately, his independence. As his vision loss progressed, Winkler recognized that aspects of his father-in-law’s everyday life became increasingly difficult, such as continuing his career in dentistry and eventually simple tasks like pouring a glass of water. “Remembering my father-in-law Ed’s struggle with AMD is why I am partnering with Apellis to help older adults and their families become aware of GA. I saw firsthand how profoundly isolating vision loss may be for older adults,” said Winkler. “Though I am now around the same age as Ed when his vision started to decline, I have no plans to slow down. I am so passionate about prioritizing my eye health that I would carry my car to the eye doctor if I started to notice a change in my vision. That’s how on top of it you have to be.” GA is a leading cause of blindness worldwide that impacts approximately one million people in the United States.1,2 Vision symptoms tend to get worse over time and the damage cannot be reversed or corrected with glasses or surgery. Sympto...