Foundation Fighting Blindness

08/11/2025

Anastasia Pagonis is taking the stage! 🌟

We’re excited to announce that Paralympic gold and bronze medalist, world record holder, and fierce disability advocate Anastasia Pagonis will be the keynote speaker at United in Vision 2026.

This global event, taking place June 12–13, 2026, in Fort Worth, TX, brings together science, community, and inspiration like never before.

Register today and be part of something extraordinary: https://bit.ly/4lxn3PL

Image Description: United in Visions 2026 logo centered at the top. Blue banner below with text that reads "Featuring keynote speaker, Anastasia Pagonis." More text below the banner that reads "Paralympian. Advocate. Change-Maker." Anastasia Pagonis biting her gold medal at the 2020 Paralympics in Japan. Blue banner diagonally across the bottom with text that reads "June 12 - 13, 2026. Reserve your seat today!"

The United in Vision 2026 conference unites two prestigious events—the Foundation Fighting Blindness VISIONS conference and the Retinal International World Congress—into one extraordinary global gathering. Scheduled from Wednesday, June 10, to Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Omni Fort Worth Hote...

08/08/2025

With support from a five-year Career Development Award from the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Dr. Thomas Mendel’s lab is working to expand the success of treatments like LUXTURNA — aiming to bring major breakthroughs from the lab to the clinic in just a few years.

Read more about this exciting research and the team behind it at:

An eye surgeon divides time between operating room, clinic and gene therapy lab, working toward cures for the diseases he treats.

08/08/2025

On this week's episode of Eye on the Cure podcast, Dr. Christina Ohnsman joins host Ben Shaberman to discuss Tern Therapeutics—a start-up she co-founded to advance gene therapies for Batten disease and beyond.

Dr. Ohnsman shares early insights from a retinal gene therapy clinical trial for CLN2 Batten disease and reflects on her journey from pediatric ophthalmologist to leadership roles at Spark Therapeutics and Regenxbio.

Don’t miss this powerful conversation on innovation, experience, and hope for rare disease communities. https://bit.ly/3D6iHys

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. 90" inside. Below, text reads, "Listen to the latest podcast episode out now. August 8, 2025." To the left is Ben Shaberman with "Ben Shaberman, Host" beneath. To the right is Dr. Christina Ohnsman with "Dr. Christina Ohnsman, Guest" below.

Dr. Christina Ohnsman talks about Tern Therapeutics, a start-up company she co-founded to develop gene therapies for Batten disease and potentially other conditions.

08/07/2025

The 25th Annual Microsoft Scramble for Sight, Presented by RE/MAX, was one to remember!

This two-day event marked 25 years of partnership, passion, and progress in our mission to drive treatments and cures for blinding diseases.

Held at The Sanctuary in Colorado, this year’s Scramble raised over $585,000, bringing the total to more than $4.5 million over 25 years.

Huge thanks to our presenting sponsor, Microsoft’s Scott Johnson, who’s supported all 25 years, and our dedicated event leaders: Scott Burt, Sherri Kroonenberg, Lindsey Blankenship, Madison Maidenberg, and Sheri Cole.

Here’s to a quarter century of impact. 💙

Image Description: [Image one] Four participants of the 2024 Scramble for Sight smiling and posing together, wearing vision loss simulation masks. [Image two] Two women attending the 2025 Scramble for Sight, posing on the golf course, each with a drink, and smiling for the camera. [Image three] Group photo on the golf course from the 2021 Scramble for Sight. [Image four] Group photo on the golf course from the 2011 Scramble for Sight. [Image five] Group photo on the gold course from the 2016 Scramble for Sight.

08/06/2025

Parents—trust your instincts. Early signs of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) in children can include night blindness, clumsiness, or trouble seeing detail.

If something seems off with your child’s vision, speak to a pediatric eye specialist.

Image Description: White background with text at the top that reads "Early Signs of IRDs in Children." Four stacked dark green ovals below with text on each that reads "Trouble seeing in low lights," "Night Blindness," Frequent tripping or clumsiness," "Difficulty seeing detail." Illustration of a dad with a young boy on his back, both smiling. Foundation Fighting Blindness Spotlight on Children's Eye Health and Safety Month logo in bottom left corner.

08/05/2025

August is National Make-A-Will Month — a meaningful time to plan ahead, protect your loved ones, and support the causes that matter most to you.

Creating a will isn’t as complicated as it may seem, and we’re here to help.
Download our free Estate Planning Guide to get started today: www.FightingBlindness.org/estateplanningguide

Image Description: Young couple sitting at a desk with a laptop and papers. Text overlay that reads “Create a legacy that funds vision research.” Foundation Fighting Blindness logo in bottom left corner.

08/01/2025

Did you know that some inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) can begin in early childhood? Routine eye exams are more than just a vision check—they can help detect early signs of rare conditions that may affect a child’s sight.

This Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, schedule a check-up and help potentially protect your child’s future vision.

Image Description: White background with the Foundation Fighting Blindness Spotlight on Children's Eye Health and Safety Month logo in the top left. Text below reads "Routine eye exams help detect signs of inherited retinal diseases early." Illustration of an optometrist performing an eye exam on a young boy.

08/01/2025

"When we see the value of vision research, we choose to protect it.”

The Foundation is joining forces with national advocates to defend the independence of the National Eye Institute and keep groundbreaking science moving forward.

Speak up. Share your story. Take action.
Learn more at: SeeWhatMatters.org

Video Description: Dr. Amy Laster stands in front of an orange wall with two hanging paintings of flowers while speaking directly to the camera.

07/30/2025

Time’s almost up, Team Captains!
You have until August 3 to qualify for a chance to win 2 tickets to United in Vision 2026 in Fort Worth, TX—just for leading the charge in this year’s Fall VisionWalk.

All it takes is:
✅ Registering a team
✅ Raising $500+
✅ Collecting 5+ individual gifts

Already registered? You can still qualify by hitting the giving goals! Let’s finish strong.

Kick off your fundraising today: www.VisionWalk.org

Image Description: Dark blue background with Foundation Fighting Blindness VisionWalk logo top center. Thirteen members of a VisionWalk team standing between two VisionWalk flags. Box with green border below with text that reads "Last Chance!"

07/29/2025

This month, we officially launched Vision Warrior—a new way to take action in the fight against blinding diseases. Whether you're dreaming up your first fundraiser or just exploring what’s possible, this program was built with you in mind. 💙

From fitness events to creative community gatherings, the Vision Warrior Toolkit is packed with the tools to help turn your passion into progress—on your terms, in your way.

There’s still time to start something meaningful. Let this be your moment.
Explore the toolkit: www.FightingBlindness.org/fundraisingtools

Image Description: Dark blue banner swiping diagonally across the top with text that reads "Turn your passion into progress," followed by the Foundation Fighting Blindness Vision Warriors logo. A man stands next to his bike, featuring a Foundation Fighting Blindness banner, in front of a scenic view of the ocean.

DIY Fundraising Toolkit

07/28/2025

Diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy, Lisa Czechowski lives with progressive vision loss and can’t see objects directly in front of her. But discovering goalball changed everything.

Now a six-time Paralympian and five-time medalist, Lisa has turned her vision loss into triumph—on the goalball court and beyond. She lives in the moment, leads with purpose, and inspires others through her fierce advocacy and unshakable perseverance.

Watch Lisa’s full Beacon Story on the Foundation’s website: https://bit.ly/4glldjw

Video Description: Clips of Lisa playing goalball with a simulation effect showing how Lisa views the world, with intermittent clips of Lisa speaking to the camera, interview style.

07/25/2025

Spotlight on Achromatopsia 👁️‍🗨️

What does the world look like through the eyes of someone with achromatopsia? This simulation offers a glimpse into how some people with achromatopsia may experience the world, including extreme light sensitivity, reduced visual clarity, and little or no color vision. Experiences can vary, but this tool helps illustrate just a few of the ways the achrompatopsia can impact daily life.

Video Description: [0:00 - 0:04] Dark blue background with text that reads "Here's how acromatopsia may look for some," followed by the Foundation Fighting Blindness Spotlight on Achromatopsia logo. [0:04 - 0:26] A woman sits on the beach by a lake. Each time the screen blinks, acromatopsia symptoms progress from mild to moderate to severe and ending on profound. [0:26 - 0:30] Dark blue background with text that reads "To learn more about achromatopsia, visit: FightingBlindness.org"