Meet Loretta Hoffelder

It was 1980 and Loretta Hoffelder was busy running her own business, Semrow Office Service, and enjoying a very active social life due in part to the years her husband served as an Illinois State Senator and Representative.

"One morning, all of a sudden," said Loretta, "the lines on the newspaper got wavy. After adjusting the newspaper and the lighting, I thought to myself, I must need new glasses."

But a trip to the ophthalmologist revealed something far more serious. Loretta was shocked to learn that she had AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (AMD), the number one cause of blindness in Americans over age 55. Her doctor explained that there was no treatment or cure.

Although AMD can sometimes cause rapid vision loss, in Loretta's case the disease progressed slowly over time. Today, Loretta, who is now widowed, is unable to drive, read, or clearly see the faces of friends and family. "People often think I'm ignoring them." said Loretta, "They don't understand that I just can't see them. It's very frustrating."

For Loretta, the hardest part of living with this disease is giving up her independence. "I am completely reliant on someone else to drive me where I need to go," said Loretta, who still goes into her Chicago office everyday. "The office is my salvation. But I do need help reading my mail and even writing checks. For someone like me who is used to being so independent, it's hard to rely on others, but I am fortunate to have excellent support from two wonderful women working with me."

Although AMD can often be isolating, Loretta works hard to keep up with friends and maintains a positive attitude. "My brother was a great inspiration to me, and I am proud of all of the work he did for The Foundation Fighting Blindness," said Loretta. Bud passed away two years ago and also had vision
loss from AMD, a disease which sometimes runs in families. "He never let this disease get the best of him and I try to do the same. What else can you do? You have to remain upbeat and be thankful for all the good things in your life."

Loretta continues her brother's tradition by supporting The Foundation Fighting Blindness and donates both her time and money to help find a cure. Now a Foundation trustee, Loretta has opened the door to families and philanthropic organizations that are in a position to further the mission of FFB.

Thanks to years of research, treatments are emerging for wet AMD, a less common form of the disease, and scientists are working on potential treatments for dry AMD, Loretta's type.

If you would like to support The Foundation Fighting Blindness in its efforts to fund the research that will one day find a cure for this blinding disease, please donate now.