Foundation Fighting Blindness

We are deeply grateful to our Community Champion sponsor, United Heritage Credit Union, for their generous support of the Austin-San Antonio VisionWalk! Your dedication fuels our mission to drive sight-saving research and bring hope to those affected by blinding diseases. Thank you for making a difference! ?? Image Description: The VisionWalk 20 Years logo on the left, and the United Heritage logo on the right.

Meet Danielle Tietjen! Danielle has been navigating her retinitis pigmentosa for half of her life, but she’s never let it hold her back. Her journey with RP underscores the importance of perspective, community of her friends and family’s support, and the relentless pursuit of treatments and cures. Read Danielle's full Beacon Story on our website at: https://bit.ly/4hDlnCd Video Description: Danielle sits indoors on an armchair and speaks directly to the camera.

Happy #WorldOptometryDay! Today, we celebrate the vital role of optometrists in protecting and preserving vision. Regular eye exams are essential for everyone, especially those who may have a blinding disease. Thank you to optometrists for your dedication to eye health! Image Description: Dark blue background with Foundation Fighting Blindness logo in top left corner. Text below reads "It's World Optometry Day! March 23, 2025." Below is a cartoon illustration of a globe with a smiling face looking through an ophthalmoscope.

In the latest Eye on the Cure podcast, Professor Michel Michaelides, a leading clinical researcher at Moorfields Eye Hospital and University College London, joins host Ben Shaberman to discuss groundbreaking advancements in gene therapy. Hear about the extraordinary vision improvements seen in young children receiving treatment for Leber congenital amaurosis 4 (LCA4), as well as promising therapies in clinical trials for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa and Stargardt disease. ?? Don’t miss this exciting conversation—listen now: https://bit.ly/41TdL8S Image Description: Dark blue background with Foundation Fighting Blindness logo in the top left and Eye on the Cure Podcast logo in the top right. Teal half circle at the top center with "Ep. 83" inside. Below, text reads, "Listen to the latest podcast episode out now. March 21, 2025." To the left is Ben Shaberman with "Ben Shaberman, Host" beneath. To the right is Michel Michaelides with "Michel Michaelides, Guest" below.

Join the Foundation Fighting Blindness for an interactive training session designed to equip VisionWalk Team Captains with the tools and strategies needed to build a strong team, engage supporters, and maximize fundraising success! RSVP today at: https://bit.ly/4l1Wgvy

The Foundation Fighting Blindness family lost a visionary and hero with the passing of Robert R. Reintsma (Bob) on February 21 at the age of 90. Bob's journey with the Foundation began over 40 years ago after his diagnosis of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) and his dedication has left an indelible mark on the vision loss community. Read more about Bob's legacy on the Foundation's website: https://bit.ly/3FuIAsL

“Riding my bike across the country is something I have always wanted to do, but I wanted this ride to have a larger purpose." Port Washington resident Jonathan Davis, whose family is affected by retinitis pigmentosa, is preparing for an over two-month-long solo bike ride across America to raise money for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Read his full story at: https://bit.ly/4bPcZ0W

Spotlight on Stargardt Disease ?????? Stargardt disease is the most common form of inherited macular degeneration, affecting about 30,000 people in the U.S. ?? It causes progressive central vision loss due to photoreceptor degeneration in the macula, impacting tasks like reading and recognizing faces. While peripheral vision is often preserved, the rate of progression varies. Image Description: Dark blue background with the Foundation Fighting Blindness and “Spotlight on Stargardt disease” logos in the top left corner. Text below reads, "Did you know? Stargardt disease is the most common form of inherited macular degeneration, affecting about 30,000 people in the U.S."

Spotlight on Stargardt Disease ?????? Stargardt disease is the most common form of inherited macular degeneration, causing progressive central vision loss. But what does that really mean for daily life? This video breaks down what to expect after diagnosis. What’s one thing you wish people understood about living with Stargardt disease? Drop a comment below! Video Description: Dark blue background with logo that reads "Spotlight On Stargardt Disease." Text below that reads, "What to expect with Stargardt disease" fades to next few slides with text on screen and small, circle icons representing the words on screen.

Spotlight on Stargardt Disease ?????? Meet Chloe. In her own words, Chloe shares how her bond with her brother Elliot has grown stronger over the years through their shared love of building Legos. Since Elliot’s diagnosis with Stargardt disease, he has faced significant vision loss, but they discovered accessible online Lego instructions, allowing them to continue their cherished hobby. Chloe hopes for a more accessible and understanding world where Elliot and others with vision loss can thrive. Read Chloe's full Beacon Story at: https://bit.ly/4hlq8ju Image Description: To the left, Elliot and Chloe standing and smiling together. “Spotlight on Stargardt disease” logo on a dark blue background to the right with text below reading, “Chloe shares how her bond with her brother Elliot has grown stronger over the years through their shared love of building Legos.”