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Through private individual contributions, corporate philanthropy and community-based fundraising activities, the Foundation has raised approximately $300 million since its founding and is the largest non-governmental source of research funds for retinal degenerative diseases. |
Through private individual contributions, corporate philanthropy and community-based fundraising activities, the Foundation has raised approximately $300 million since its founding and is the largest non-governmental source of research funds for retinal degenerative diseases. |
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Foundation-funded scientists conduct research for the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases including: [[retinitis pigmentosa]], [[macular degeneration]], [[Usher syndrome]], [[Stargardt's disease]], Best disease, choroideremia, [[retinoschisis]], [[Leber's congenital amaurosis]], [[Bardet-Biedl syndrome]], cone dystrophy, cone-rod dystrophy, rod-cone dystrophy, achromatopsia, Refsum disease, and other rare retinal degenerative diseases. |
Foundation-funded scientists conduct research for the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases including: [[retinitis pigmentosa]], [[macular degeneration]], [[Usher syndrome]], [[Stargardt's disease]], Best disease, choroideremia, [[retinoschisis]], [[Leber's congenital amaurosis]], [[Bardet-Biedl syndrome]], [[cone dystrophy]], cone-rod dystrophy, rod-cone dystrophy, achromatopsia, Refsum disease, and other rare retinal degenerative diseases. |
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==Clinical Trials== |
==Clinical Trials== |
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Revision as of 14:46, 23 May 2008
The mission of the Foundation Fighting Blindness is to fund research that will lead to preventions, treatments, and cures for retinal degenerative diseases that affect more than nine million Americans and millions more throughout the world. These conditions often lead to severe vision loss or complete blindness.
The Foundation Fighting Blindness was founded in 1971 by Gordon Gund and Bernard Berman. Blind from retinitis pigmentosa, Gund is Chairman of the Foundation Fighting Blindness and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Gund Investment Corporation. He is former majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers (National Basketball Association) and former owner of the San Jose Sharks (National Hockey League). (Berman died in 1996).
Through private individual contributions, corporate philanthropy and community-based fundraising activities, the Foundation has raised approximately $300 million since its founding and is the largest non-governmental source of research funds for retinal degenerative diseases.
Foundation-funded scientists conduct research for the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases including: retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, Stargardt's disease, Best disease, choroideremia, retinoschisis, Leber's congenital amaurosis, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, cone dystrophy, cone-rod dystrophy, rod-cone dystrophy, achromatopsia, Refsum disease, and other rare retinal degenerative diseases.
Clinical Trials
After decades of Foundation funding, several promising treatments have recently moved into human clinical trials, including a gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis, and a capsule that is inserted into the eye to slow vision loss from retinitis pigmentosa, Usher syndrome, macular degeneration, and choroideremia.
National Neurovision Research Institute
In 2004, the Foundation established the National Neurovision Research Institute (NNRI) to accelerate the translation of laboratory-based research into clinical trials for treatments and cures of retinal degenerative diseases. NNRI is a medical research institute that promotes cooperation and collaborations between academic researchers, government agencies, corporations and private foundations. NNRI is also negotiating royalties and licensing fees from drug discovery and commercialization of new therapies.
Fundraising and Activities
The Foundation has more than 50 volunteer-led groups and chapters across the U.S. These volunteers raise funds, increase public awareness, and provide support to their communities. In addition to grants and corporate gifts, the Foundation hosts a series of events across the country, including VisionWalk, Dining in the Dark, and a series of galas and dinners including the For the Love of Sight Dinner held in Washington, D.C., the Visionary Award Dinner in Baltimore, Maryland, and the Humanitarian Award Dinner in New York City.
Grants
The Foundation currently funds 137 grants for 167 researchers at 59 prominent research institutions and eye hospitals in the U.S. and around the world.