The Make-A-Wish Foundation® Receives More Than $413,000 Donation Through the LATISSE® Wishes Challenge Led by Kathy Ireland, Chelsie Hightower and Bobbie Thomas
PHOENIX, Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The LATISSE® Wishes Challenge campaign, sponsored by Allergan, Inc., makers of LATISSE® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03%, generated more than $413,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Inspired by the tradition of blowing on an eyelash to make wishes come true, the LATISSE® Wishes Challenge ran from June to Nov. 30 to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation while also educating women about LATISSE®, the first and only prescription treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for inadequate or not enough lashes (eyelash hypotrichosis) that grows lashes longer, fuller and darker. Since the launch of LATISSE®, the brand has contributed $1.25 million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helping the organization grant the wishes of approximately 189 children nationwide.
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"The Make-A-Wish Foundation is able to bring joy to so many children each year because of generous contributions from campaigns like the LATISSE® Wishes Challenge, sponsored by Allergan, and the contributions of thousands of people across the country," said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and chief executive officer. "In these tough economic times, it's moving to receive such an outpouring of support."
The Make-A-Wish Foundation will use the contribution from the LATISSE® Wishes Challenge to bring hope, strength and joy to seriously ill children like Azurra and Anthony. Azurra, 10, wished to see polar bears in the wild. Anthony, 4, wished to have an electric scooter to ride. The Make-A-Wish Foundation relies on the help of generous donors to make wishes like these come true. Through this campaign, more than 4,200 women nationwide joined the LATISSE® Wishes Challenge, with LATISSE® doubling each individual's donation, up to a maximum donation of $250,000.
"While LATISSE® has continued to generate excitement, we are proud to continue our support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation in its mission to grant children's wishes," said David E.I. Pyott, Allergan's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to an ongoing collaboration with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and are grateful to the many LATISSE® users and other individuals who joined us in the LATISSE® Wishes Challenge."
The LATISSE® Wishes Challenge brought together fashion CEO Kathy Ireland, professional ballroom dancer Chelsie Hightower and style guide Bobbie Thomas, who each led teams of LATISSE® users from across the country in a friendly online competition to raise the most funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Consumers were called upon to join a celebrity-led team on www.LatisseWishesChallenge.com and make a minimum $20 donation in exchange for a LATISSE® free trial certificate they could take to a doctor to see if LATISSE® solution is right for them. Participants could also follow along online while Ireland, Hightower, Thomas and women on their teams shared their experiences growing their lashes with LATISSE®.
"I'm always up for a challenge, so it was exciting to work with Kathy and Bobbie to raise money for a great cause," said Hightower. "And once my doctor determined I was a candidate for LATISSE®, it was fun growing my lashes longer, fuller and darker with LATISSE® and showing everyone my full results at four months. Even though Team Chelsie didn't win, I want to thank everyone who joined and gave their support!"
While Ireland's team gathered the most support in the competition, the real winners were the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the children it serves.
"I'm so proud to be affiliated with a brand that gives back to charity," said Ireland. "Our family has been connected to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for 16 years and we have seen first-hand how this organization changes people's lives. I am very grateful to all those who helped raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation by joining the LATISSE® Wishes Challenge."
About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is one of the world's leading children's charities, with 64 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 200,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.
About LATISSE®
LATISSE® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% is the first and only FDA-approved prescription treatment for inadequate or not enough lashes (eyelash hypotrichosis) used to grow lashes longer, fuller and darker. The treatment is applied nightly to the base of the upper eyelashes with a sterile applicator. While individual results may vary, LATISSE® users may begin to notice longer lashes at about one month and experience full results in four months. If you stop using LATISSE®, your eyelashes are expected to gradually return to their previous appearance. Since being approved by the FDA in late December 2008, approximately 1.5 million bottles have been sold.
Indication:
LATISSE® solution is a prescription treatment for hypotrichosis used to grow eyelashes, making them longer, thicker and darker.
Eyelash hypotrichosis is another name for having inadequate or not enough eyelashes.
Important Safety Information:
If you are using, or have used, prescription products for any eye pressure problems, only use LATISSE® under close doctor care. Although not seen in LATISSE® clinical studies, may cause increased brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye which is likely permanent. Eyelid skin darkening may occur which may be reversible. Only apply at the base of the upper eyelashes. DO NOT APPLY to the lower eyelid. Hair growth may occur in other skin areas that LATISSE® solution frequently touches. If you develop or experience any eye problems or have eye surgery, consult your doctor immediately about continued use of LATISSE®. The most common side effects after using LATISSE® solution are itchy eyes and/or eye redness. If discontinued, lashes will gradually return to their previous appearance.
For more information on LATISSE®, please see the full prescribing information, available here.
About Allergan, Inc.
Allergan, Inc. is a multi-specialty health care company established 60 years ago with a commitment to uncover the best of science and develop and deliver innovative and meaningful treatments to help people reach their life's potential. Today, we have more than 9,000 highly dedicated and talented employees, global marketing and sales capabilities with a presence in more than 100 countries, a rich and ever-evolving portfolio of pharmaceuticals, biologics and medical devices, and state-of-the-art resources in R&D, manufacturing and safety surveillance that help millions of patients see more clearly, move more freely and express themselves more fully. From our beginnings as an eye care company to our focus today on several medical specialties, including ophthalmology, neurosciences, obesity, urologics, medical aesthetics and dermatology, Allergan is proud to celebrate 60 years of medical advances and proud to support the patients and physicians who rely on our products and the employees and communities in which we live and work.
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Make-A-Wish Foundation, Make-A-Wish and share the power of a wish are the marks
of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.
(C) 2010 Allergan, Inc. Irvine, CA 92612. ® marks owned by Allergan, Inc.
SOURCE Make-A-Wish Foundation(R)
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