Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan
“I remember when Lancelot, a dog who had his sight restored thanks to gene therapy, accompanied Foundation Fighting Blindness leaders on Capitol Hill to testify in support of sight-saving research,” said Ann Korologos. “Fast forward a few years and researchers went on to restore significant vision in more than 40 children and young adults in clinical trials for a rare retinal disease, including a boy named Corey who put away his white cane and was able to play baseball with his friends.
Tom and Ann Korologos
Now, additional gene therapy studies are happening thanks to the positive results, and other approaches are taking off. Tom and I are very motivated to continue this fight to eradicate retinal diseases because the momentum of research is so strong, and inspiring people afflicted with these conditions have influenced our lives in such positive ways.”
To support sight-saving research, 275 Washingtonians gathered at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C., Tuesday night for the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ 11th Annual D.C. “For the Love of Sight” Visionary Awards Dinner. In recognition of the couple’s leadership in the government, business and non-profit sectors, and for their ongoing support for blindness research, renowned surgeon and author Dr. Ben Carson presented the Foundation’s Visionary Award to former U.S. Secretary of Labor Ann McLaughlin Korologos, and her husband Tom Korologos, a former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium.
The evening’s third Visionary Award recipient was Dr. Hendrik Scholl, a clinician-scientist at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, who is working to advance vision-saving treatments through human studies.
The funds raised will benefit cutting-edge research into preventions, treatments and cures for retinal diseases like RP, macular degeneration, and related conditions that affect more than 10 million Americans.
Dr. Ben Carson
Others in attendance included Alison Starling, who served as emcee; former Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, a co-chair of the event; Congressman Pete Sessions, the evening’s closing speaker; Bill and Donna Marriott, honorary chairs; Foundation Fighting Blindness Co-Founder and Chairman Gordon Gund; Foundation Fighting Blindness spokesperson Mrs. World April Lufriu; Senator Tom Harkin and other members of Congress.
Video credit: Janet Donovan
