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Tampa Bay Chapter
Driving Research to Save and Restore Sight!
Our goal for the Tampa Chapter is to make our chapter meetings beneficial for education and support for people with retinal degenerative diseases. We strive to provide a sense of community and hope. You are encouraged to play an active role in growing our chapter!
Benefits of Membership in the Tampa Chapter
Involvement in the Tampa Chapter allows individuals and families affected by retinal degenerative diseases to connect with other people facing the same situation. Connect with others by participating in fundraising activities, promoting information and education, and be a part of raising community awareness of the Foundation and its mission.
Support and Friendship
The opportunity to connect with others affected by retinal degenerative diseases in an educational, social and supportive environment.
Goodwill
The knowledge that as a member of the Tampa Chapter, you are helping some of the finest national and international scientists carry out innovative and vital research.
Educational Programs
Invitations and advance notice to participate in educational programs in Florida and throughout the country.
In the Loop
E-mail updates on breaking news regarding research advancements, as well as Foundation Fighting Blindness newsletters InFocus and InFocus Online.
Online Resources
The Foundation Fighting Blindness website is full of the most up-to-date information on retinal disease research, information on upcoming events in Florida, chat rooms and message boards.
Leadership
You have the opportunity to play an important role in our chapter by being part of the chapter leadership or serving on a committee.
The research progress over the last few years has been astounding. You are encouraged to be part of this effort by becoming active in the Tampa Chapter and become part of the many volunteer-led chapters across the country. Due to this massive combined effort we will make progress in many areas of research so we are one step closer to the treatments, preventions and cures or retinal degenerative diseases. We need your help!
Recent Highlights
An interview with Tampa Bay chapter president and, newly crowned, Mrs. America, April Lufriu!
Relishing the Crown
Newly crowned Mrs. America April Lufriu isn’t your typical beauty queen. The multi-tasking 41-year-old wife and mother of three runs a successful business with her husband, models, works as a dental hygienist, and tirelessly advocates for the visually impaired as the Foundation’s Tampa Bay Chapter president. Now with a year-long term in the national spotlight ahead of her, April’s mission to raise awareness about blinding diseases gives her the opportunity to share her family’s challenges with retinitis pigmentosa and the Foundation’s drive to fund sight-saving research. April’s sister and two of her children, ages 7 and 11, are affected with this vision-robbing disease—and she herself experiences mild symptoms of RP. We chatted with April after her exciting Mrs. America win on April 14:
FFB: How did you begin competing in pageants?
AL: I think the pageant world is something a lot of little girls envision for themselves, and I was the same way, first getting involved at age 19. It also runs in my family because my cousin was Miss Honduras around the same time. Since then, I’ve competed in 10 pageants and was first runner-up for Miss Florida USA in my 20s. Knowing how great the exposure is for pageant winners, I began competing again after my children were diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa and I knew my mission in life was to help find a cure. I was optimistic about winning Mrs. Florida America this year, but had no clue I’d win at the national level. I’m still in shock!
FFB: What did you do to prepare for the Mrs. America competition?
AL: A lot of girls concentrate on their physical appearance, which is certainly important because the judges are looking to crown a healthy role model, but I take a different approach. Most of my preparation was mental because if you can’t get your message across and communicate a business aspect, it’s not the full package they’re looking for. This approach definitely paid off. After the competition, judges approached me saying that after my preliminary round interview, they wrote “winner” in their notes. If you can’t come across as passionate, it doesn’t allow for any substance.
FFB: How did others react to your story and platform to raise awareness about blinding diseases?
AL: The response was very emotional with some tears from the other delegates. People asked how I keep my composure and it’s not easy, but being positive is the only way I can do this. The Foundation-inspired bumblebee pin I wore on my sash throughout the competition initiated the conversation. I told people the bee’s black represents blindness, the gold stands for brightness of sight, and the green eyes evoke our effort to drive research toward a cure. Because of the size of its wings and body, the bee should not be able to fly, but it does and so will we.
FFB: What are your duties as Mrs. America?
AL: The organization focuses a lot on what the winner is representing, so they’ll support me. I don’t want to call blindness awareness my platform or my charity because it’s a part of my life. I call it my mission and am up for any challenge they throw my way.
FFB: What’s your favorite part of competing in pageants?
AL: It used to be the scariest part, but now the interview is my favorite. I get to open my heart to express who I am and what I’m representing, which is truly the most important aspect of pageantry.
FFB: Any pageant beauty secrets?
AL: A little Vaseline on the teeth helps to keep a smile because you’re so nervous on stage you get cotton mouth. It’s a trick that works, believe me!
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