Over the last four years, Michelle Veloce has worked tirelessly to raise money for research to halt or reverse the retinitis pigmentosa that is aggressively stealing her husband Steven’s vision. She’s asked for and received generous gifts from dozens of friends, colleagues, family, and her employer, Thomson Reuters, in support of the Foundation’s New York City VisionWalk.  But nothing was as unexpected or overwhelming as a $90,000 gift from BTIG, a Wall Street trading firm. Jay Bozick, a BTIG financial advisor and close friend of the Veloces, was the catalyst; he worked to get the Foundation Fighting Blindness included as a part of the firm’s charity day, where trading commissions were donated to select nonprofits.Michelle adds that many friends throughout the trading community agreed to send their trades through BTIG that day, because they knew it would raise money to help Steven and vision research. “We were so humbled by everyone’s generosity,” says Michelle. Jay became acquainted with Steven, when Steven was still managing the trading operations group at Deutsche Bank — a position he later gave up because he was no longer able to read the banks of computer monitors. “I have never met someone as positive and inspirational as Steven. We can all learn a great deal from him in how we lead our lives,” says Jay.”Being able to help people with vision loss, even in a small way, is also very special for all of us.” Michelle says that Steven has lost a lot of vision in recent years, making it more challenging for him to be active and pursue his many sporting interests. But supporting research through VisionWalk has been empowering for the Veloces, and it has reconnected them with friends and colleagues. “It is great to be part of something that is bigger than the two of us,” says Michelle. Nancy Mendelow, a director on the Foundation’s board, has been a great source of support for Michelle. They met in 2006, when the VisionWalk program was just getting off the ground, and they both have taken on the role of spokespeople for their families. And, like Michelle, Nancy has a husband named Steve with retinitis pigmentosa. “Nancy is so inspiring and positive. She really understands the challenges and how to deal with them,” says Michelle. Michelle met her Steven in 2000 and was drawn to his honesty and willingness to help others. She adds, “He treats all people equally, regardless of their position or status. People appreciate it. The support we are receiving from his friends is a reflection of what Steven means to them.” |
