Foundation Fighting Blindness

Meet Krista. Krista Webb has embraced woodburning as a creative outlet to cope with her progressive vision loss due to Usher syndrome. And Krista has built a supportive community on Instagram (@blindlove.woodburning), where she shares her art and advocates for the blindness community. Read Krista's full Beacon Story on our website at: https://bit.ly/3WlG78V Video Description: Krista sits in a chair at her desk and speaks directly to the camera.

"Some of us don't have an awful lot of sight, but we have a lot of VISION." This week on Eye on The Cure, Karen Petrou, the new board chair at the Foundation, talks to host Ben Shaberman about her vision for the Foundation moving forward. Learn more about streaming at: https://bit.ly/3WByGM3 Image Description: Eye on the Cure Podcast logo at the top with a headshot of Karen Petrou below and text to the right that says, "EPISODE 70: Karen Petrou" with more text below that says, "Listen to the Latest Podcast Episode Out Now."

We've just opened up the second year of our call for applications focused on PRPH2 and Associated Retinal Diseases. Share broadly with anyone who might be interested! The Foundation Fighting Blindness seeks applications for its PRPH2 and Associated Retinal Diseases (PARD) Science Award Program. The Nixon Visions Foundation, in collaboration with the Foundation Fighting Blindness, has committed funding to advance research towards potential treatments for PRPH2-associated retinal diseases. The Foundation will make awards for meritorious research proposals that advance our understanding of the biology and pathophysiology of PRPH2 in the hashtag #retina. To address gaps in knowledge, proposals that focus on the following topics are strongly encouraged: Fundamental PRPH2 biology and biochemistry, including, but not limited to: 1. PRPH2 protein-protein interactions 2. The differential role(s) of PRPH2 in rod and cone photoreceptors 3. Development of high throughput and/or saturation assays to determine the functional consequences of PRPH2 variants on protein structure and/or function and to assign pathogenicity 4. Generation and characterization of disease models (e.g., large animals) that recapitulate PRPH2-associated human disease, including maculopathies 5. Studies demonstrating proof-of-concept for therapeutic approaches, particularly mutation-agnostic approaches 6. Improved understanding of human disease heterogeneity, through understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships or identification of genetic and/or environmental modifiers The Foundation Fighting Blindness expects to fund a limited number of PARD Science Awards with an anticipated start date of April 1, 2025. Each award will provide research support up to $500K dispersed over one to three years. Eligibility Applicants must hold a Ph.D., M.D., D.M.D., D.V.M., D.O., O.D., or equivalent degree and have a faculty position or equivalent at a domestic or foreign: non-profit organization, or public or private institution, such as a university, college, medical school, hospital, research institute, or laboratory. Applicants do not have to be U.S. citizens. Individuals from underrepresented racial, ethnic and gender groups, as well as individuals with disabilities, are always encouraged to apply.

Spotlight on Choroideremia 👁️🗨️ Did you know that choroideremia occurs primarily in males? Choroideremia is an inherited disease that causes progressive loss of vision and is passed down in families by the X-linked pattern of inheritance. To learn more about choroideremia, visit our website at: https://lnkd.in/emix3BwK Image Description: Dark blue background with the Spotlight on Choroideremia logo top-center. Text below that reads, “Choroideremia is caused by mutations in the CHM gene and is passed down in families by the X-linked pattern of inheritance.” An illustration of a DNA strand is to the right.

Spotlight on Choroideremia 👁️🗨️ John-Ross Rizzo, a dedicated New York-based researcher, was confronted with life-altering news at a young age when he was diagnosed with choroideremia. Driven by the obstacles he faced due to his condition, he now stands as a key figure leading the development of advanced assistive technology, with the goal of reshaping the daily commutes of those with low vision and blindness. Read John-Ross's full story at: https://bit.ly/4ffrWea Image Description: To the left, John-Ross standing with Steven R. Flanagan while holding the Howard A. Rusk Leadership and Innovation Award he received from NYU. “Spotlight on Choroideremia” logo on a dark blue background to the right with text below reading "NY Researcher's App Transforms Commuting for the Visually Impaired" followed by "Beacon Story, John-Ross Rizzo."

We're thrilled to see the new blind Barbie doll! Thank you, Mattel, Inc. and Barbie, for promoting inclusivity and representation in such a meaningful way. This is a big step forward for kids everywhere. Read more about Barbie's growing line of diverse and inclusive dolls at: https://lnkd.in/gkxvnFCP

Spotlight on Choroideremia 👁️🗨️ Today, we’re highlighting the symptoms to expect with choroideremia. In childhood, night blindness is the most common first symptom. As the disease progresses, there is a loss of peripheral vision or “tunnel vision” and, later, a loss of central vision. Progression of the disease continues throughout the individual’s life, although both the rate and the degree of visual loss can vary, even within the same family. To learn more about choroideremia, visit our website at: https://lnkd.in/emix3BwK Image Descriptions: [Image 1] Dark blue background with the Spotlight on Choroideremia logo at the top with the text, “What To Expect with Choroideremia” below. Underneath is an arrow pointing to the right and the Foundation logo in the bottom left corner. [Image 2] Dark blue background with the Spotlight on Choroideremia logo at the top with a dark view of a house at night, and text below that says, “Night blindness is the most common first symptom.” [Image 3] Dark blue background with the Spotlight on Choroideremia logo at the top with a view of a house blurred on the peripheral, and text below that says, “As the disease progresses, there is loss of peripheral vision.” [Image 4] Dark blue background with the Spotlight on Choroideremia logo at the top with a view of a grocery store aisle blurred in the center, and text below that says, “Later there is a loss of central vision as well.”

Missed our March webinar on Dry AMD? Watch the recording now to hear directly from patients about their experiences and insights. Find the webinar recording and full Voice of the Patient report at: https://bit.ly/3YbG8Pk

Don't miss out on the Fall #VisionWalk Challenge! Register your team by July 31 for the chance to win lunch with Foundation Fighting Blindness CEO, Jason Menzo! Register now at: www.VisionWalk.org Image Description: Eight members of Team Ava posing with their Top Fundraising Team certificate at the 2023 Philadelphia VisionWalk. A blue banner across the top with the VisionWalk logo and text that reads "Join our fall #VisionWalk challenge!"

Have you ever wondered about the challenges that scientists encounter when developing treatments and cures for retinal diseases? This week's episode of Eye on the Cure covers just that. Join Francois Paquet-Durand, PhD, a professor from the University of Tübingen and co-founder of the company Mireca, as he talks to host Ben Shaberman about the long journey of an emerging, Foundation-funded drug for the treatment of certain forms of retinitis pigmentosa. Learn more about streaming at: https://bit.ly/4cdtJxN Image Description: Eye on the Cure Podcast logo at the top with a headshot of Francois Paquet-Durand below and text to the right that says, "EPISODE 69: Dr. Francois Paquet-Durand" with more text below that says, "Listen to the Latest Podcast Episode Out Now."