|
Towanda Campers Learn More Valuable Lessons About the Fight Against Blindness The campers of Camp Towanda in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, are no strangers to FFB and the passion, dedication, and creativity it takes to be successful philanthropists. They raised $10,000 for the Foundation's 2007 New York City VisionWalk, and this summer, were congratulated for their impressive success by Towanda's owner and FFB National Trustee, Mitch Reiter, and his wife, Stephanie. While recognizing the campers for their achievement, Mitch also took the opportunity to educate them more about the importance of their fundraising by inviting Eddie Russnow, a Director on the Foundation's Board, and Cliff Aaron, a National Trustee of the Foundation, to speak about retinal degenerative diseases and emerging research. 
The campers (16 to 18 years old) listened closely as Eddie discussed FFB's groundbreaking advances in treatments and cures for retinal degenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and macular degeneration. Eddie told the campers the exciting news about the successful results of the "Lancelot" canine trials of gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), and the very recent breakthrough in human clinical trials of the same treatment. The campers were amazed to hear about how young adults, who were nearly blind from LCA, can now read lines on an eye chart and navigate an obstacle course. Following Eddie's motivating discussion, Cliff Aaron offered his personal experience as someone affected by RP. The campers enthusiastically asked Cliff questions about working and living with RP. Most of all, the campers were intrigued by Cliff's guide dog Alto, and how Alto has changed Cliff's life. Campers listened intently as they took turns trying on pairs of glasses that simulated RP and macular degeneration, experiencing, if only for a few moments, what the world might look like to someone affected with either of these diseases. FFB's guests joined the group for a traditional camp lunch including sloppy joes and bug juice, all the while listening to camp cheers and daily announcements. The guests also took the opportunity "to wanda" around the Towanda campgrounds. The Foundation could not have asked for a warmer welcome or a more enjoyable day. Later in the summer, FFB presented campers with a plaque, recognizing them for their outstanding fundraising efforts to date, with plenty of room for acknowledgment for future accomplishments. The sky is the limit for the Campers at Camp Towanda! |
