Fighting Blindness logo      Research. Counselling. Cures.

Fighting Blindness Newsletter - May 2009

Greetings!
'Networking' seems to be the buzzword of the moment and here at Fighting
Blindness staff have been busy extending links on a global scale.
 
Although an Irish-based charity, we work closely with colleagues in the UK, further afield in Europe and on a worldwide scale, all focussed on finding cures and treatments for blindness and supporting people living with sight loss conditions.
 
Thanks to our hard working fundraisers and generous supporters this year we will commit almost €1m to work towards cures - and these cures are now in sight. 
 
We are determined to increase our commitments to research despite difficult economic conditions and are confident that with your help and with our links around the world, we can achieve this.
 
Your interest and support is appreciated.
 
Kind regards,
The Fighting Blindness Team
Fighting Blindness at world's biggest vision conference
Assistant Director of Research Dr Patrick Corley and Vision Research scientist Dr Reaz Vawda recently attended the world-renowned Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) conference held in the US.
New Chairman for Fighting Blindness
Fighting Blindness would like to say a huge thank you to Dave Waldron who has stepped down as chairman after nine years.
 
Dave, from Cork, has decided to give up his post due to increasing work and family commitments but will continue as a board member.
 
Discover Dracula's Castle on our Transylvania Trek
 Dracula's CastleMay 25 - 30, 2010
Trek 70kms over four days through a hidden corner of Europe unchanged for 850 years. This trek takes us into the Bucegi Mountains that overlook Transylvania and provides an ideal chance to visit Count Vlad or Dracula's Castle and experience some of the delights of its beautiful capital Bucharest. In conjunction with the Diabetes Federation of Ireland. Join up today!
 
Check out our other challenges:
 
Australia Cycle Challenge: October 15 - 30, 2009. Why not join us for a 700km road trip on two wheels, including the Great Ocean Road and stop-offs in Melbourne and Sydney?

Everest base camp: the trek of a lifetime! Oct 21 - Nov 7, 2009.

Discover incredible Iceland: Aug 2 - 8, 2009.

Head of Public Affairs elected to board of European Rare Disease Organisation
Head of Public Affairs at Fighting Blindness Avril Daly was elected to the Board of the European Rare Disease Organisation (EURORDIS) at its annual general assembly in Athens last week.
 
EURORDIS is an alliance of patient organisations and individuals active in the field of rare diseases and is dedicated to improving the quality of life of all people living with rare diseases in Europe.
Mourne Mountain marvels return!
Mourne Mt zipline A huge thanks to all the guys and gals who took part in our Mourne Mountain Challenge, Co Down, last weekend. The teams trekked almost 70km through the spectacular scenery and took on challenges such as abseiling, bridge building and zip lining along the way.
We're still counting up the total but the intrepid adventurers raised thousands of euro towards Fighting Blindness research. Thank you.
 
Missed the Mourne Mountains? Sign up for the Fighting Blindness Wicklow Challenge, September 12 & 13, 2009.
 
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In This Issue
Vision conference
New chairman
Discover Dracula's castle
Prestigious appointment
Check out our latest magazine
Join Our Mailing List
Quick Links
Public Information Evening, Cork 
Find out all the latest information about retinal implant technology at the Fighting Blindness Cork group's meeting, May 20.
 
Hot off the press!
Check out the latest version of our Visionaries magazine online.
Fighting Blindness on Film 
YouTube video
Watch our new promotional film. A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the filming and to Cityjet who put it together for us free of charge.
 
Are you up for the ultimate running challenge?
 
Go the full 26 miles and 385 yards for Fighting Blindness and sign up for the Dublin City Marathon.
 
You could be on the start line at 9am, Bank Holiday Monday, October 26, and raise money for our race to find cures.
 
Contact our fundraising team today: call +353 1 709 3050, email fundraising@fightingblindness.ie.
Calling all Facebook Fans! 
facebook logo Join Fighting Blindness on Facebook for all the latest updates.
Registered Charity No CHY 6784 Web: www.fightingblindness.ie  Email: communications@fightingblindness.ie
halfords logo      10 % off at Halfords
As a small thank you for your support, we'd like to offer you a discount at Halfords stores in the Republic of Ireland.
With thanks to groupschemes.com.