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Speeding the Pace of Research: Join the Race to Cure Blindness
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Foundation members across the country are raising critical funds for retinal disease research by joining the Race to Cure Blindness, a program that enables anyone to turn a racing event into a fundraiser for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. The Race to Cure Blindness program is unique in that it can be used for virtually any type of race or sporting event — running, walking, hiking, biking, swimming, climbing, bowling, you name it. You don’t have to be a pro to join and there is no minimum fundraising requirement. The Race to Cure Blindness program is an easy way to raise money for the Foundation while also staying motivated for your race! Check out this story from two of our recent Race to Cure Blindness participants. Black Bear Challenge — Montana Lisa Chamberlain was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa when she was five years old. While the news was devastating for her family, it wasn’t unfamiliar — her older sister had already been diagnosed with the vision-robbing disease. At the time, Lisa didn’t realize the weight of her situation. Now an adult, Lisa’s visual field has decreased to roughly 10 degrees. She’s never driven a car and is facing new challenges as she raises two young children. “The Foundation has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Lisa recalls. Lisa and her husband, Tim, have been regular supporters of the Foundation over the years, but had never taken on a personal fundraising effort. Lisa and Tim signed up for the Black Bear Challenge — a hiking and biking event that took place in April 2010. The race involved reaching multiple checkpoints through an overall trek of nearly 10 miles by foot and 20 miles by bike. Some of the race was completed on service roads, but reaching the checkpoints often required bushwhacking through the forest on no trail at all. After reading information about the Race to Cure Blindness program on the Foundation’s website, the Chamberlains saw an opportunity for their race to raise money for important research that could one day restore Lisa’s sight. Using the online fundraising tools, Lisa and Tim reached out to their family and friends for support of their Race to Cure Blindness. Having never completed a race like the Black Bear Challenge before, there were times when Lisa’s motivation wavered, but the generous support she received recharged her determination. She and Tim completed the Black Bear Challenge in 7 hours and 54 minutes, and raised more than $3,000 for retinal disease research. |
