VisionWalk aims to raise $40K for cutting-edge blindness research
The Foundation Fighting Blindness (www.FightBlindness.org) will host its 5th annual Southwest Florida 5K VisionWalk, on Saturday, April 9, at Lake Regional Park, 7330 Gladiolus Dr., Fort Myers, FL, 33908. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the Walk will start at 10 a.m.
The event will raise money for blindness research that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for retinal degenerative diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, Stargardt disease, and numerous others. These sight-stealing diseases affect more than 10 million Americans of all races and ethnic groups, young and old.
“It’s very frustrating to have your vision slip away to a retinal disease,” says Jim Buckley, School Team Chair for the Walk. “VisionWalk is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about vision-robbing diseases and critical funds for the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ leading-edge research. The event truly brings us one step closer to a cure.”
Buckley is affected with retinitis pigmentosa, a retinal disease that has progressively stolen most of his vision. As former chief financial officer for the Lee County School District, the retired Buckley, of North Fort Myers, is rallying school teams to get involved in the Walk to help save sight.
More than 200 community members are expected to participate in this year’s VisionWalk. People are invited to form Walk teams or attend the free, family-friendly event, which will include a bounce house and slide, face painting, music, a team spirit contest, refreshments, and more. Since the VisionWalk program started in 2006, more than 45,000 have taken part in local Walks across the country and more than $15 million has been raised for blindness research. To participate in Southwest Florida VisionWalk, or to learn more about supporting local or national VisionWalk events for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, visit www.VisionWalk.org, or call Keytia Ortiz, event manager, at 866-782-7330.
The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a national nonprofit driving blindness research that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases that affect 10 million Americans. In its 40-year history, the Foundation has raised more than $425 million as the leading non-governmental funder of retinal research. With a network of 50 chapters, the Foundation also provides free disease information and low vision resources to affected individuals and their families. Most recently, a breakthrough Foundation-funded study using gene therapy restored significant vision in children and young adults who were previously blind, paving the way for using this method to treat a wide variety of retinal degenerative diseases, and proving a cure is in sight.