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Walmart Associates Support Eye Health and Sight-Saving Research Through Foundation Fighting Blindness ‘Save Your Vision Month’ Program
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Columbia, MD (January 18, 2012)—The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing sight-saving research, applauds the efforts of dedicated Walmart associates in Texas, Colorado and other areas, whose volunteerism has translated into more than $280,000 in Walmart Foundation grants toward blindness research and public health education in 2011. Through the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ “Save Your Vision Month” program, launched either in the spring or fall at 130 Walmart Vision Centers in Texas and Colorado, associates volunteered their time to walk and promote eye health tips and overall wellness in their communities. “The enthusiasm of Walmart associates to join us in the fight against blindness has been truly inspiring. They are committed to public health education and extremely passionate about giving back to the communities where they live, work and play,” said program innovator Richard Faubion, director of development, southwest region, Foundation Fighting Blindness. “For example, associates in San Antonio alone walked the distance equal to a bicoastal trip from Los Angeles to New York—an amazing feat!” In 2011, approximately 2,475 associates at 114 Walmart stores in Texas opted to participate in “Save Your Vision Month,” translating into $183,000 in grants to the Foundation Fighting Blindness through Walmart’s “Volunteerism Always Pays” program. In Colorado, over 735 associates took on the challenge at 16 stores to generate over $73,000. Many Walmart associates also took part in the Foundation’s 5K VisionWalks in Denver, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston, uniting with visually impaired supporters to raise awareness and research funds for blinding retinal degenerative disease like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). James Winchester, Walmart’s Texas health & wellness division senior director, commented on Walmart’s participation, “Our team is passionate about participating in this program. We realize the importance of giving back to the communities we are allowed to work in. We are glad to be part of an effort to reduce blindness and improve vision for everyone.” The Foundation expects the associate-driven “Save Your Vision Month” program to expand to other regions and communities around the United States in 2012. For retinal disease information and to learn more about the Foundation’s work to advance vision-saving treatments and cures, visit www.FightBlindness.org. About the Foundation Fighting Blindness The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a national nonprofit driving blindness research that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases that affect more than 10 million Americans. In its 40-year history, the Foundation has raised more than $425 million as the leading non-governmental funder of retinal research. With a network of 50 chapters, the Foundation also provides free disease information and low vision resources to affected individuals and their families. Most recently, a breakthrough Foundation-funded study using gene therapy restored significant vision in children and young adults who were previously blind, paving the way for using this method to treat a wide variety of retinal degenerative diseases, and proving a cure is in sight. |
