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I am delighted to share with you the greatest news in the Foundation’s 37-year history.

Three young adults who were nearly blind can now see thanks to a landmark gene therapy clinical study taking place at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Simply put: These nearly blind young adults are now able to see thanks to research funded in part by the FFB.

The study participants, all of whom have a severe form of retinitis pigmentosa known as Leber congenital amaurosis or LCA, can now read several lines on an eye chart and see in a dimly lit setting. One participant can even navigate an obstacle course that he couldn’t before.

The investigative team is optimistic that the therapy will give near-normal vision to children with LCA. Their next step is to study the treatment in younger patients.

This is great news for all people affected by retinal degenerative diseases. The breakthrough paves the way for the development of gene therapies to treat a wide variety of retinal conditions including: other forms of LCA, many forms of retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, Usher syndrome, and age-related macular degeneration.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who support the Foundation’s urgent mission. Together, we have achieved an incredible milestone and have great momentum as we advance gene therapies and other promising treatments into human studies.

I know for many of our researchers, leaders, volunteers, and donors, this has been a tireless, decades-long effort. And though much work lies ahead, please take this moment to celebrate the wonderful victory that you helped make possible.

Thanks again for all you do to bring light to millions.

Sincerely,

Gordon Gund Signature

Gordon Gund
Chairman and Co-Founder
Foundation Fighting Blindness

Visit http://www.FightBlindness.org/ to learn more about this breakthrough.

The work described in this article was made possible through generous gifts from people like you. Please click here to make a donation to the Foundation.