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Dear Friends of the Columbus Chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness:
Welcome, and thank you for your interest in our chapter. We formed this chapter 6 years ago in support of the Foundation’s initiatives to increase public awareness in our communities, lead fundraising efforts to help fund research, and to provide information to those affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP), macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, Stargardt disease and all other retinal degenerative diseases.
While we are still working on building a thriving chapter, many generous and devoted volunteers and sponsors have selflessly contributed time, effort and services in support of our Golf Outing and previous informational programs. It is this sort of resolve that has inspired us to strengthen our chapter in the hopes of increasing community outreach and providing an improved network of support for affected individuals and their families.
Many of us involved in the chapter have a vested interest because retinal degenerative diseases have touched our lives personally or those of family members or friends. While I am not personally affected by these diseases, I joined this cause because one of my dear friends and co-workers is affected and it pained me to think she would not be able to see her two beautiful girls walk down the aisle someday. Our hope is that a cure is found in her lifetime. She knows, as do I, that with the research being done with the help of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, a cure truly is in sight. It is no longer a question of if, but rather, when.
In May of 2012, we held our first annual Dining in the Dark event in Columbus, Ohio at the Brazenhead in Dublin. We consider it a huge success as we sold out two seatings to over 100 guests. Thanks to all who attended and if you missed it, please plan on joining us next year, it was a lot of fun.
Friday, September 7, 2012, our 4th Annual Golf for Sight outing will be held at the Golf Club of Dublin. You can sign up on the FFB website to play, sponsor, donate an auction item, volunteer or just make a donation directly towards the event.
In addition to our now 2 annual fundraisers, we also hope to begin other events and outreach programs as well. I would love to have two regular support group meetings set-up for adults and young adults by FY13. We will continue to have at least an annual chapter meeting where we invite guest speakers addressing, among other things, current research findings, treatments and clinical trials. These events are free to attend and we encourage family members and friends to join us.
If you are in the medical field or an organization related to optical supplies, support, etc, we are always interested in developing relationships with you to be speakers at events, have booths at events, see our members as patients, provide guidance and support to our members and generally partner in any way that could benefit our targeted population.
I encourage you to become involved as a volunteer of the Columbus Chapter. The greater our volunteer efforts, the more successful and relevant our chapter will be. Please help us help others understand the importance of the Foundation’s many initiatives so that we can contribute collectively to a cure for retinal degenerative diseases.
 Sincerely,
Heather Brandon
Chapter President
614-209-2128
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