[Easton, MD] (May 2023) Chesapeake Bay Sight Foundation recognizes May as World Vision Health Awareness Month and prepares for their upcoming event, Dining in the Dark.
Colleen Sheehan, Founder and Director of Chesapeake Bay Sight Foundation (CBSF) is one of 1.5 million people worldwide affected by Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a retinal degenerative eye disease. RP deteriorates the peripheral vision of the patient first before deteriorating the central vision. Its sister disease, Macular Degeneration (MD) deteriorates vision in the opposite way, by affecting the patient’s central vision first, then the peripheral vision. MD is the most common degenerative eye disease in the world today. Degenerative eye diseases do not only affect adults. Usher Syndrome (US) affects children at birth, resulting in both blindness and deafness.
CBSF raises funds for vision research to develop innovate methods of preventing, treating, and curing visual impairments. All proceeds raised benefit Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, specifically Dr. Mandeep Singh’s research team of 17 trained researchers working 24/7 to find a cure for blindness and other retinal degenerative eye diseases.
Regarding CBSF’s motto, “Seeing is Believing a Cure is in Sight,” Colleen Sheehan says, “it’s easy to understand statistics and data when you can physically see them. I’ve seen the research, but I don’t have to physically see to believe. I know that the research is being done and that cures and treatments are being developed as we speak, and that’s how I believe without seeing that a cure is in sight.”
CBSF invites you to save the date for the 12th annual Dining in the Dark event on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at the Easton Elks Club from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Dining in the Dark provides guests with the experience of enjoying a five-course gourmet meal while blindfolded, which allows guests to gain insight into how a visually impaired person experiences dining. This event also includes a silent auction and speakers from Wilmer Eye Institute and Guiding Eyes Puppy Raisers and Trainers.
Tickets for Dining in the Dark will be available on July 1, 2023. Volunteers are needed for committees such as promotion, ticket sales, and silent auction items and for the night of the event. To purchase tickets and to volunteer, contact Madeline Turley, Director of Marketing at 410-763-8400 or chesapeakebaysightfoundation@gmail.com. For more information, visit chesapeakebaysightfoundation.com.
About Chesapeake Bay Sight Foundation
Chesapeake Bay Sight Foundation (CBSF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for vision research in hopes of developing innovative methods of preventing, treating, and curing visual impairments. To learn more about CBSF, visit chesapeakebaysightfoundation.com