May 22, 2024

Fighting Blindness Canada Encourages Canadians to MOVE to Support Vision Loss Research, Launches National MOVE FOR SIGHT Fundraising Event this June

Canada’s Largest Charitable Funder of Vision Research Celebrates its 50th Anniversary, Advancing Breakthroughs to Help More Canadians Manage Vision Loss

Toronto, ON, May 1, 2024 — Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) marks its 50th anniversary this year and is launching a new fundraising event, MOVE FOR SIGHT, to continue its multi-decade commitment of raising funds for vision loss research and education.

MOVE FOR SIGHT DAY, happening on Sunday, June 23, 2024, is a MOVE challenge where Canadians decide how and where they want to MOVE, all in support of fundraising for critical vision loss research and education! Participants, from coast to coast to coast, may register as a team or as an individual, at MOVEFORSIGHT.ca.

May is Vision Health Month, so it’s the ideal time to rally friends and family to MOVE and fundraise. From cycling to pickle ball, to cooking, dancing, hockey, and swimming, there’s no limit to the range of MOVE FOR SIGHT activities participants can choose to do on June 23.

“As we celebrate our 50th anniversary at Fighting Blindness Canada, we wanted to launch a new and more inclusive event that would expand the options for Canadians, wherever they live, to support vision loss research,” said Jennifer Jones, President and CEO. “MOVE FOR SIGHT is a fun way for the community to get creative or participate in a favourite activity, while contributing to the critical work we do—advancing research, educational and advocacy efforts for sight-saving treatments and cures.”

More Canadians than ever are touched, directly or indirectly, by vision loss. Currently, 1.2 million Canadians live with vision impairment or blindness, and with the aging population, this number is growing. Diseases like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are examples of the types of vision loss the aging population faces.

Fighting Blindness Canada—the largest charitable funder of vision research in Canada— plays a critical role in ensuring Canadians receive access to life-changing therapy. In 2023, FBC was instrumental in the process for a first-of-its-kind gene therapy that can slow vision loss, or even restore some vision.

One of the first recipients in Canada of the new treatment, was 25-year-old Jack McCormick. He lives with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA)—caused by mutations in his RPE65 genes—the specific genetic disease this gene therapy was designed to treat.

After undergoing the procedure in both eyes, McCormick, whose main hope was to stabilize the vision he had left, shared how fortunate he felt to receive significant improvement in his eyesight. He is now able to see better in dimmer light, and decipher more details and colour. He emphasized, “It’s so important for people with vision loss to not lose hope, and to continue living their lives to the fullest.”

“The positive and rolling effects of research, and the resulting approvals of treatments provide a brighter future for Canadians living with vision loss,” said Dr. Larissa Moniz, Director of Research and Mission Programs at Fighting Blindness Canada. “This first gene therapy is proof that we are making crucial strides for those living with vision loss; and there are more reasons to be excited because of the numerous clinic trials happening right now, trying to find treatments for different types of eye diseases.”

Added Moniz, “We’re on the cusp of new breakthroughs, and we would not be this far along without the generous support from Canadians over the last five decades.”

To learn more about Fighting Blindness Canada, visit fightingblindness.ca, and follow @fighthingblindnessca on Instagram.  Register today for MOVE FOR SIGHT at moveforsight.ca.

ABOUT FIGHTING BLINDNESS CANADA
Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) is the largest charitable funder of vision research in Canada.

2024 marks the 50th Anniversary for Fighting Blindness Canada. Over its 50-year history, Fighting Blindness Canada has contributed critical funding for the development of sight-saving treatments and cures for blinding eye diseases.

We are an invaluable resource for individuals and families impacted by blindness, providing accurate eye health information through our website and educational events, as well as engaging with government and other stakeholders to advance better vision health policies.

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Media: For more information about Fighting Blindness Canada and MOVE FOR SIGHT, to book an interview, request images, expert commentary, or for resources on eye health, please contact:

Candice Best, BEST PR, info@bestprco.com or 416.525.1332.