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Welcome to the Boston Chapter! As we start a new year in 2013, excitement is building for the astounding research advances in the broad spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases, and Boston plans on being right in the thick of things to get the word out and to help accelerate the pace of research through our fundraising events. We have already scheduled several exciting events in the first half of 2013 (see below) that are “can’t miss” opportunities to learn more about the research and how we, the affected community, can help ourselves.
Your Boston leadership team is also in the process of developing new networking groups in Boston, Cape Cod, and Hillsborough County in southern New Hampshire. These social groups will meet regularly to share experiences, learn more about the Foundation’s efforts to fund retinal degenerative disease research, and provide support and information related to progressive vision loss. We are looking for more people who may be able to start their own networking group in their specific geographic area. FFB’s staff members are ready to help publicize your group; all you have to do is find a meeting location, set the date(s), and off you go!
We are incredibly excited by the events that we have already scheduled so far in 2013. These will all be well worth your time and effort to learn more about the state-of-the-art research as well as to meet others who are affected by progressive vision loss.
- Boston Chapter leader Melanie Dion is facilitating the first Hillsborough County Networking Group meeting on Sunday, February 24, at the Nashua YMCA (see details in Events section of our web page). This is a great opportunity for you to join others who are also affected with low vision to discuss your personal experiences and daily challenges.
- On Wednesday, February 27, we will host our first Speaker Series, a “Fireside Chat” with Dr. Eric Pierce at the Belmont Library in Belmont, MA. Dr. Pierce is a world-renowned researcher, Director of Ocular Genomics at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and also serves as the Chair of FFB’s Scientific Advisory Board. Boston is lucky to have a researcher and clinician of his caliber in our area and we are extremely honored that he has agreed to share his thoughts with us.
- On Saturday, April 6, FFB is presenting a half-day Vision Seminar at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf. This free seminar will feature several ophthalmologists and scientists who will speak about the latest research for macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and other retinal degenerative diseases.
- On Tuesday evening, April 9, and all day Wednesday, April 10, Boston will host a Dining in the Dark gala followed by a Symposium on Retinal Innovation at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The Symposium will bring together research and biotechnology leaders from around the world to share the most recent advances, explore current and future collaborations, and strategize on how best to accelerate the pace of research advances. This Symposium is the first of its kind in terms of bringing together resources from many medical, educational, non-profit, and for-profit biotechnology firms to strategize on innovative approaches to the urgent need for treatments and cures for our diseases.
Our sixth annual Boston VisionWalk will be held on Saturday, October 27. In our previous five walks, Boston has raised nearly three-quarters of a million dollars, and our goal is to walk towards a million dollars this year! We want ALL of our team captains from all of our previous walks to join us for one huge alumni bash and make a statement for ourselves and to other VisionWalkers around the country… Boston is rocking!!
The Boston chapter web page will also be enhanced and expanded to include updates on our events and activities, stories about ourselves, opportunities to get involved as a volunteer, and why we are working to raise funds to accelerate the research and resources that are available in the Boston area to those with vision loss.
So, what are you waiting for? Get in on the excitement in Boston!! We would love to hear from you and, better yet, for you to join our team. Some areas where we could use help (other ideas that fit your interests or talents are welcome!) include the following:
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Form a networking group in your area: FFB staff will help get the word out to the affected community in your county.
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Start a VisionWalk team. We have all sorts of resources to help you develop and grow your team. EVERY DOLLAR helps to fund research on our diseases. Whether you raise $500, $5,000, or $50,000, each and every dollar is so critical!
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Join the chapter leadership group and help the various committee chairs with specific activities: fundraising, communications, VisionWalk, Dining in the Dark, networking groups, membership outreach, and Partners for Retinal Health. There is no limit. Whatever time you have, we would greatly appreciate your involvement.
- Participate in any of our events and get to know us so we can get to know you. We all want our vision back; and, together, we can make that happen through medical research we can push forward with our fundraising efforts.
Boston will shine in 2013. Boston is the “hub” not only of sports but of medicine including medicine focused on the eye. We, the volunteers, will play a critical role this year and beyond.
Don’t be left behind! Thank you for your support, and we hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Martha Steele (Usher syndrome)
Vice President of Fundraising
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