The Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) was established in 1971 by a passionate group of families driven to find treatments and cures for inherited retinal diseases that were affecting their loved ones. At that time, little was known about these blinding retinal degenerative diseases. Very little research was being done, and there were no clinical trials for potential treatments. The Foundation’s goal was clear and focused: To drive the research that would lead to preventions, treatments, and vision restoration for the spectrum of degenerative retinal diseases, specifically macular degeneration – including age related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, Usher syndrome, Stargardt disease and Leber congenital amurosis (LCA). Together these conditions affect more than 10 million Americans and millions more throughout the world. Today, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is the world’s leading private funder of retinal disease research. That funding has been a driving force behind the progress toward cures, including the identification of more than 250 genes linked to retinal disease, and the launch of 20 clinical trials for potential treatments. On an annual basis, the Foundation Fighting Blindness and the Foundation’s Clinical Research Institute fund more than 100 research grants. The research projects are conducted by more than 150 research investigators at institutions, eye hospitals, and universities in the United States, Australia, England, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, Israel, and Mexico. More about the Foundation Fighting Blindness: The Foundation funds innovative and cutting-edge research in promising areas such as genetics, gene and stem-cell therapies, retinal cell transplantation, and pharmaceutical and nutritional therapies. Foundation funding often provides the critical bridge between discovery research, proof of concept, and corporate investment in clinical trials and commercialization. The Foundation’s Clinical Research Institute (FFB-CRI) supports strategic relationships with commercial entities to advance the development of emerging compounds, i.e. potential drug treatments, for retinal degenerative diseases. If supported by research outcomes, FFB-CRI helps advance those treatments into viable commercial products available to patients. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Since its inception in September 1971, the Foundation has raised more than $725 million. The Foundation is an Accredited Charity by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. We are also pleased to be rated as 4 stars (top rating) for Accountability and Transparency by the Charity Navigator Website. On an average annual basis, the Foundation has invested approximately 75 percent of its budget in research and public health education programs. More Information about Retinal Degenerative Diseases: Retinitis pigmentosa and Usher syndrome are inherited diseases commonly diagnosed during childhood or young adulthood. RP causes severe vision loss leading to legal and/or complete blindness. Children with Usher syndrome are born with varying degrees of deafness and later develop RP. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has both lifestyle and inherited risk factors. The condition is characterized by a progressive loss of central vision. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in adults over age 55 in the U.S. and other developed countries. The Foundation has 43 volunteer-led chapters across the U.S. These dedicated volunteers raise funds, increase public awareness, and provide support to their communities. The Foundation’s VisionWalk program holds fundraising walks in over 40 cities nationwide. Since its inception the FFB VisionWalk program has raised over $43 million for vision research. The Foundation provides information and outreach programs for patients, families and professionals.