About Foundation fighting blindness
Foundation Fighting Blindness: Driving Research for a Brighter Future
The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a non-profit organization that has been at the forefront of driving research to find preventions, treatments, and cures for retinal degenerative diseases. The organization was founded in 1971 by a group of families who were affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP), an inherited disease that causes progressive vision loss. Since then, the Foundation has grown into a global leader in funding research for not only RP but also age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Usher syndrome, and other related conditions.
The mission of the Foundation Fighting Blindness is urgent because these diseases affect millions of people worldwide. RP alone affects approximately 1 in 4,000 people globally and can lead to complete blindness. AMD is the leading cause of blindness among older adults in developed countries. Usher syndrome affects both hearing and vision and can lead to deaf-blindness.
To achieve its mission, the Foundation funds cutting-edge research projects that aim to understand the underlying causes of these diseases and develop effective treatments. The organization also provides support services for patients and their families through its national network of chapters.
One key area where the Foundation has made significant progress is gene therapy โ a promising approach that involves replacing or repairing faulty genes responsible for causing these diseases. In recent years, several clinical trials funded by the Foundation have shown promising results in restoring vision in patients with inherited retinal diseases.
Another area where the Foundation focuses its efforts is stem cell therapy โ an innovative approach that involves using stem cells to replace damaged or lost cells in the retina. The organization has invested heavily in this field over the years and continues to fund groundbreaking research projects aimed at developing safe and effective stem cell therapies.
In addition to funding research projects directly, the Foundation also collaborates with other organizations around the world on joint initiatives aimed at accelerating progress towards finding cures for these blinding diseases.
If you are looking for ways to get involved with this important cause, there are many ways you can help support their mission:
- Donate: Your donation will go directly towards funding critical research projects aimed at finding preventions, treatments, and cures.
- Fundraise: You can organize your own fundraising event or participate in one of their existing events such as VisionWalk โ an annual walkathon held across various cities around North America.
- Volunteer: You can volunteer your time by helping out at local events or becoming an advocate for their cause.
- Spread awareness: Share information about retinal degenerative diseases on social media or through word-of-mouth so more people become aware of this important issue.
In conclusion, if you are looking for an impactful way to make a difference in people's lives affected by blinding conditions such as RP or AMD - look no further than supporting The Foundation Fighting Blindness! With your help we can accelerate our mission towards finding preventions,treatments,and cures so everyone may see brighter future ahead!