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The Special Gift of Dr. Harry Ginsburg

The Simmy Ginsburg Memorial Research Award for Macular Degeneration was established in 2002 to the Macular Vision Research Foundation. It will be used for research into the debilitating disease of macula degeneration. Dr. Harry Ginsburg, the donor, in memory of his wife Simmy Ginsburg chose to give to MVRF because he believes it has the finest vision scientists in the country and the world.

Dr. Ginsburg was impressed with the scientists doing research on this disease, which affects over 15 million people. Unprecedented rates of longevity and better healthcare will mean that the group of Americans over age 65 will not only be larger but will live longer than those before them.

Macular degeneration affects about 15 million people:

The projections seem to indicate a public health problem in the future. As the record number of Americans born between 1946 and 1964 reach retirement and take advantage of Medicare and other health programs, the cost of their care can overwhelm federal budgets. Loss of vision can have dramatic consequences in terms of disability and greater health-care expenditures.

Dr. Ginsburg believes that by choosing to make the right investments in research, life for the elderly can be not only longer but also healthier and richer in opportunities and pleasure. It seems we are on the verge of solutions to the age-related decline in vision, however, our conversation must move from discussing how to care for people with age-related macular degeneration to funding the research that will bring the prevention, and yes, the cure for this debilitating disease. He wants to help re-design old age.

Herbert Lotman, Founder of MVRF, said that the generosity of Dr. Ginsburg would have enormous effect — allowing others to come forward to help the research flourish and grow, to honor a loved one by naming a research program in his/her memory, and to improve the vision of the future.