march 2006
The Foundation for Retinal Research Needs Your Help!
The Foundation for Retinal Research is the leading organization funding research for Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). Their website, www.tfrr.org, is an excellent source of information regarding this degenerative retinal disease and their funding supports researchers, patients, and their families. Below is a letter from the foundation asking for your help...
Thank you for taking the time to consider our request for support of a unique conference to benefit children and families facing the challenges of Leber's Congenital Amaurosis. The Bi Annual Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) Conference will be held July 26-31, 2006 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Foundation for Retinal Research will be leading this conference on LCA, a rare genetic eye disorder, which affects infants who are often blind at birth or lose their sight within the first few years of life.
The Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute has agreed to act as host along with the Cleveland Sight Center. Dr. Elias Traboulsi, head of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Director of the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute's Center for Genetic Eye Disease, will be working closely with the Cleveland sight Center and the Foundation for Retinal Research on this conference.
Researchers and physicians from many medical institutes, national and internationally, will be at this conference to present the latest research and answer questions. A vital part of the conference is the opportunity for families to gather in an environment conducive to learning and sharing with each other and with world-renowned ophthalmologists and researchers.
The Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute will be providing medical professionals and space for lectures to help defray the costs for this conference. The Cole Eye Institute will also be providing medical exams and tests, this represents a wonderful opportunity.
The Foundation for Retinal Research, which was founded in 1998, has been leading and funding these seminal conferences. With each conference, more and more children and families attend. We are now hoping that we can bring a few concerned "champions" into our conferences that will not only participate, but will help us in funding this most worthwhile endeavor.
I have included the Foundation for Retinal Research's link: www.tfrr.org. The foundation has been the sole sponsor for the conference and this year is the first year they are seeking help! They would be most honored by support from you in the amount that you feel is appropriate. The budget for the conference has reached over the $70,000 level. We respectfully hope that you may consider support in either a financial amount or something special for the children. This would be our hope, but of course we would be honored by any support you may provide.
I thank you in advance for your consideration of this request. I will follow up with you in the coming weeks to answer any questions you may have. In the meantime please fee free to reach me at 630-978-0547 or amber@tfrr.org.
Sincerely,
Amber Purpura
Director of Communications
Foundation for Retinal Research