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New Trustees Bolster Foundation’s National Leadership Team
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The Foundation Fighting Blindness has appointed several new national trustees to its leadership team to further enhance its drive to eradicate the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases that affect more than 10 million Americans. Throughout the Foundation’s history, national trustees have played integral and invaluable roles in organizational leadership, revenue development, and raising public awareness.
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Stem Cell Researchers Recognized for Accelerating Advancements
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Owings Mills, MD - March 24, 2010 - At the recent 2010 Day of Science conference in Los Angeles, four Foundation-funded investigators were honored with the Foundation’s Board of Directors Award for their outstanding success in the development of stem cell treatments. Honorees were: Dr. David Gamm of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Ray Lund of Oregon Health & Science University, Dr. Thomas Reh of the University of Washington, and Dr. Michael Young of Harvard Medical School.
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Lenfests Provide Generous Grant to the Foundation
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Owings Mills, MD - March 24, 2010 - H.F. (Gerry) and Marguerite Lenfest are providing a $5 million grant to support the Foundation’s Alan Laties Career Development Program and several translational research projects over the next five years. A media entrepreneur and philanthropist, Gerry formed Lenfest Communications in 1974 and sold the business to Comcast in 2000. We are deeply grateful to Gerry and Marguerite for their outstanding generosity.
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Foundation Appoints Three New Trustees
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Owings Mills, MD - January 30, 2010 - The Foundation is pleased to welcome three new national trustees to its leadership team: Sherri Kroonenberg of Littleton, Colorado, Pat Campbell, of St. Petersburg, Florida and Roger Horchow of Dallas, Texas.
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Optelec/ShopLowVision Partnership Boosts Retinal Research, Low Vision Awareness
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Owings Mills, MD - January 30, 2009 - The Foundation is pleased to announce a new corporate partnership with Optelec/ShopLowVision, a worldwide leader in low vision solutions for people who are blind or visually impaired. The San Diego-based company has made a generous donation to the Foundation and will be providing information, resources, and low vision aids for use at chapter meetings and VisionWalk kick off luncheons in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Chicago.
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Foundation Promotes Bramer to Boost Clinical Trial Efforts
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To strengthen its ability to move promising sight-saving treatments for retinal diseases into the clinic and out to the millions who need them, the Foundation Fighting Blindness has promoted Steven Bramer, Ph.D., to chief drug development officer of its National Neurovision Research Institute.
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Dr. Dean Bok Receives Foundation Fighting Blindness Career Achievement Award
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Owings Mills, MD - May 8, 2009 - Dr. Dean Bok of the Jules Stein Eye Institute of UCLA received the Llura Liggett Gund Award, the top honor presented by the Foundation Fighting Blindness, on May 7, 2009. The highly coveted award honors researchers for extraordinary career achievements that have significantly advanced the research and development of preventions, treatments and cures for retinal degenerative diseases that affect more than 10 million Americans. The award has previously been presented to only four researchers throughout the Foundation’s 38-year history.
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National Neurovision Research Institute Heralds Collaboration for Gene Therapy Advancements
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Owings Mills, MD - April 29, 2009 - The National Neurovision Research Institute (NNRI), the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ clinical trial support organization, announced today that one of its key partners, biopharmaceutical company Oxford BioMedica, has established a collaboration with sanofi-aventis, a major international pharmaceutical company, to develop and commercialize gene therapy treatments for vision-robbing retinal degenerative diseases that affect tens of millions of people around the world.
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BREAKING NEWS -- Emerging Treatment Stabilizes Vision in People with Dry AMD
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Owings Mills, MD - March 26, 2009 - An innovative new technology, employing a tiny capsule implanted in the eye, is stabilizing vision in people suffering from dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Encapsulated Cell Technology (ECT), developed by Rhode Island-based Neurotech, preserved vision in the majority of the 51 people who participated in a Phase II clinical trial.
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World Experts Awarded for their Fight Against Blindness at "Day of Science"
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Owings Mills, MD - March 1, 2009 – A group of the world’s leading scientific researchers converged on February 28 for the fight against blindness, participating in the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ 2009 Day of Science conference held at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Day of Science brought Foundation board members, trustees and supporters, many of whom suffer from eye diseases that lead to blindness, together with retinal researchers and clinicians who reported on the latest advancements being made in retinal disease research. The sessions focused on areas of research such as gene and stem cell therapies, and the advancement of these potential treatments to clinical trials.
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Foundation Fighting Blindness Applauds President Obama's Lift of Ban on Federal Funding for Stem Research
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Owings Mills, MD- March 9, 2009 -With President Obama’s lifting of the ban on federal funding for stem cell research, Foundation Fighting Blindness funded researchers and scientists have the opportunity to begin exploring new research that may lead to treatments and cures for retinal degenerative diseases.
Ten million Americans are affected by retinal degenerative diseases in the U.S. at an annual cost of nearly $70 billion and with an aging population, the number of Americans affected by retinal degenerative diseases is expected to increase 50% by 2020. Foundation Fighting Blindness funded researchers expect that with the lifting of the embryonic stem cell ban, treatments will be able to move into clinical trials at a faster and more cost-efficient pace, thus increasing the development of cures for retinal degenerative diseases.
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Foundation Fighting Blindness Honors Outstanding Individuals at 7th Annual "For the Love of Sight" Valentine's Party
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Washington, DC - February 12, 2009 - Last night the Foundation Fighting Blindness honored two outstanding individuals, Jennifer Rothschild and Dr. Stephen J. Ryan, for their contributions to the vision impaired community at the 7th Annual “For the Love of Sight” Valentine’s Party.
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SAN ANTONIO VisionWalk Set to Raise Funds for Blindness Research
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SAN ANTONIO – MARCH 14, 2009 - The Foundation Fighting Blindness (www.FightBlindness.org) will host its 1st 5K VisionWalk in San Antonio on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at Brackenridge Park. Registration begins at 8:00 A.M. and the Walk will start at 9:00 A.M.
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ARIZONA VisionWalk Set to Raise Funds for Blindness Research
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ARIZONA – MARCH 7, 2009 - The Foundation Fighting Blindness (www.FightBlindness.org) will host its 3rd 5K VisionWalk in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at Encanto Park. Registration begins at 9:00 A.M. and the Walk will start at 10:00 A.M.
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Sight-restoring Research of Bennett and Maguire Featured in Smithsonian
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As the landmark clinical trial of gene therapy at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia expands, and more participants report vision restoration, Jean Bennett, M.D., Ph.D., and Al Maguire, M.D., continue to receive attention from prominent media, including Smithsonian Magazine, which is featuring the researchers’ story in their January 2009 issue.
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Promising Women Scientists Receive the 2009 Marjorie Carr Adams Women’s Career Development Awards
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Three outstanding women scientists, who are pursuing careers in retinal degenerative disease research, are the recipients of the 2009 Marjorie Carr Adams Women’s Career Development Awards funded by the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Last year, FFB launched this career development program, made possible by a $1 million, six-year gift to FFB from the Marjorie C. Adams Charitable Trust, for which JPMorgan Chase Bank is trustee.
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FFB Announces Partnership with Genable to Develop Gene Therapy for Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa
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Owings Mills, MD - September 24, 2008 - The Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) has announced an agreement with Genable, an Irish biopharmaceutical company, to develop therapies to treat retinal degenerative diseases. The partnership is being formed through FFB’s clinical support organization, the National Neurovision Research Institute (NNRI). Fighting Blindness Ireland is also a partner in the agreement.
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Local Residents Join Fight Against Blindness by Participating in Pittsburgh VisionWalk
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Pittsburgh, PA - September 22, 2008 - Hundreds of residents from across Pittsburgh, PA will support the fight against blindness by participating in the Pittsburgh VisionWalk, beginning at the SouthSide Works at the Town Square on September 13, 2008 at 10a.m. Whether walking for themselves, for loved ones or to support this important cause, participants in the Pittsburgh VisionWalk are doing their part to help the over 10 million Americans who suffer from eye diseases that can lead to blindness. Proceeds from the Pittsburgh VisionWalk will go to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, a national non-profit organization that funds the research and clinical trials to cure blindness causing retinal diseases.
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Local Residents Join Fight Against Blindness by Participating in Charlotte VisionWalk
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Charlotte, NC - September 22, 2008 - Hundreds of residents from across Charlotte, North Carolina will support the fight against blindness by participating in the Charlotte VisionWalk, beginning at Freedom Park on September 27, 2008 at 10a.m. Whether walking for themselves, for loved ones or to support this important cause, participants in the Charlotte VisionWalk are doing their part to help the over 10 million Americans who suffer from eye diseases that can lead to blindness. Proceeds from the Charlotte VisionWalk will go to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, a national non-profit organization that funds the research and clinical trials to cure blindness causing retinal diseases. The Walk has already raised over $50,000 for the FFB.
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Local Residents Join Fight Against Blindness by Participating in San Diego VisionWalk
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San Diego, CA - September 12, 2008 - Hundreds of residents from across San Diego, Calif., will support the fight against blindness by participating in the San Diego VisionWalk on Sept. 14, at 9:00 a.m. Whether walking for themselves, for loved ones or to support this important cause, participants in the San Diego VisionWalk are doing their part to help the over 10 million Americans who suffer from eye diseases that can lead to blindness. Proceeds from the San Diego VisionWalk will go to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, a national non-profit organization that funds the research and clinical trials to cure blindness causing retinal diseases.
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FFB Appoints Vargas-Cortes to Lead Advancement of Retinal Disease Treatments into Human Studies
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Owings Mills, MD - August 14, 2008 - The Foundation Fighting Blindness has chosen Mauricio Vargas-Cortes, Ph.D., as Chief Drug Development Officer for their clinical support organization, the National Neurovision Research Institute. Dr. Vargas-Cortes brings nearly 20 years of wide-ranging drug development experience to the Foundation, where he will lead efforts to move emerging treatments for vision-robbing retinal degenerative diseases into clinical trials.
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Nation's Experts Note Progress in Fight Against Blindness at "VISIONS 08"
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Owings Mills, MD - August 13, 2008 - Some of the world’s leading scientific researchers along with celebrities and Congressional members will converge for the fight against blindness by participating in VISIONS 08, the National Conference of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Virginia on August 8-10, men, women and children who suffer from eye diseases that can lead to blindness, along with researchers and scientists, will attend VISIONS 08 to learn of the latest research, clinical trials and daily living skills. In addition to lectures and question and answer sessions, VISIONS 08 will include an exhibit hall showcasing the great low vision products, aids and services available to those fighting blindness.
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Hotel Staff Trains with Blindfolds to Prepare for VISIONS 2008
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Owings Mills, MD - August 6, 2008 - In preparation for the Foundation Fighting Blindness National Conference, VISIONS 08, hotel staff at the Crystal City Hyatt Regency will take part in a special training session to learn best practices for accommodating visually impaired guests. From being blindfolded to learning how to appropriately serve a meal to making their presence known when entering and leaving a conversation – staff of the Hyatt Regency will receive a special briefing on Wednesday, August 6 on how to best cater to their visually impaired guests. The VISIONS 08 conference begins Friday, August 8 and concludes August 10.
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Figure Skater and Olympic Champion Nancy Kerrigan will Serve as Spokesperson for FFB
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Owings Mills, MD - March 26, 2007 - Figure skater and Olympic champion Nancy Kerrigan has become a spokesperson for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the organization announced today.
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W.K. Kellogg Foundation Funds Foundation Fighting Blindness Campaign for Awareness of Retinal Diseasse Research
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Owings Mills, MD - April 3, 2007 - The Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) today announced that the W.K. Kellogg Foundation will support, through a $50,000 grant, a public awareness campaign that will provide information and resources to individuals with low vision, their families and caregivers, and the general public.
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Foundation Fighting Blindness Receives $2.3 Million Grant From The George Gund Foundation To Fund Genetic Study Of Retinitis Pigmentosa
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Owings Mills, MD - November 2007 - The Foundation Fighting Blindness today announced that it has received a grant of $2.3 million from the Cleveland-based George Gund Foundation to fund 29 research projects in 2008 that will focus primarily on the genetic link to retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
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Foundation Fighting Blindness Establishes the Marjorie Carr Adams Women's Career Development Awards
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Owings Mills, MD - October 2007 - The Foundation Fighting Blindness today announced the launch of a women's career development program to support women who are pursuing careers in clinical research to cure retinal degenerative diseases.
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Northern Virginia VisionWalk Set to Raise Funds for Blindness Research
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Reston, VA - May 1, 2007 - The Foundation Fighting Blindness will host a 5K VisionWalk in Northern Virginia area on Sunday, June 3rd at 9 a.m.
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Columbus VisionWalk Set to Raise Funds for Blindness Research
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Columbus, OH - May 1, 2007 - The Foundation Fighting Blindness will host a 5K VisionWalk in Columbus area on Sunday, June 17th at 9 a.m.
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Chicagoland VisionWalk Set to Raise Funds for Blindness Research
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Chicago, IL - May 1, 2007 - The Foundation Fighting Blindness will host a 5K VisionWalk at Soldier Field on Sunday, June 10th at 9 a.m.
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Orange County VisionWalk Set to Raise Funds for Blindness Research
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Irvine, CA - May 1, 2007 - The Foundation Fighting Blindness will host a 5K VISIONWALK in Orange County on Sunday, June 3rd at 9 A.M. at Hicks Canyon Community Park in Irvine.
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Ft. Wayne VisionWalk Set to Raise Funds for Blindness Research
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Ft. Wayne - May 1, 2007 - The Foundation Fighting Blindness will host a 5K VisionWalk in Ft. Wayne area on Saturday, June 9th at 9 a.m. The walk will coincide with Germanfest on the same grounds.
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Triangle VisionWalk Set to Raise Funds for Blindness Research
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Raleigh, NC - May 1, 2007 - The Foundation Fighting Blindness will host the 5K 2nd Annual Triangle VisionWalk on Saturday, June 2nd at 9 a.m. at Lake Lynn Park and Community Center in Raleigh.
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Neurotech Begins Phase II/III Human Studies of Treatment for Retinitis Pigmentosa
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April 18, 2007 - Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has begun enrollment of participants in two multicenter Phase II/III human clinical trials for an innovative treatment to slow the progression of a group of blinding diseases known as retinitis pigmentosa. Both studies are partially funded by the Foundation Fighting Blindness.
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