Every month, Sechelt resident Dale Adlem travels to Vancouver to participate in a clinical trial for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (or wet AMD) – a chronic eye disease she was diagnosed with last year that is the most common cause of permanent and irreversible vision loss in people over 65. The trip is not the easiest outing for the 83-year old, with a ferry ride and traffic to get through, but the thought of her grandchildren and the possible impact that this study may have on their lives motivates her to keep going.

“I thought about my grandchildren – I have two girls coming up – and if this research doesn’t help me, it may help one of them,” says Dale about why she participates.

Dale is involved in a clinical trial to test Fovista, a new drug that may lead to better vision, less scarring, and less treatments overall. Dr. Farzin Forooghian and Dr. Patrick Ma, VCH Research Institute scientists, are testing the drug and are optimistic about the potential benefits.

Visit the VCHRI website to learn more on this story.

Sign up for newsletter

Are you interested in helping others by taking part in research, while learning more about your own health? Sign up for the VCHRI’s newsletter, In It Together, to receive information about clinical trials and research studies every month. The next issue will arrive on August 13, 2015.