Non-profit funding sight-saving research for children
Our goal is to advance therapies for pediatric inherited retinal diseases. Our current target: we are fundraising for rare disease research and gene-agnostic therapies for childhood blindness.
You can make an impact on saving childhood eyesight by entering our giveaway fundraisers.
Enter for your chance to win the Ultimate Adventure Package: a 2026 Entegra Esteem XL Super C motorhome + 2026 Polaris trailer + $100,000 cash! Every entry helps support A Race Against Blindness and the search for cures to blindness!
LEARN MOREEnter for your chance to Build Your Own Adventure Van: We already built out the outside of a 170" WB AWD Sprinter, and you get an extra $125,000 custom build budget to use with Rossmönster Vans, plus $50,000 cash! Alternatively, the winner may select a $150,000 cash-only option.
LEARN MOREOne winner will receive up to $150,000 to spend at Right Toyota and $50,000 cash, creating one of our most flexible prize packages ever
VIEW DETAILSEnter for a chance to win the Second Chance Ultimate Heavy Duty: a professionally upgraded 2026 Ford F-250 Super Duty King Ranch + $40,000 cash in our current fundraiser benefiting sight-saving research.
VIEW DETAILSHow our fundraisers work
Learn how you can make an impact on sight-saving research and have a chance to win a life-changing prize.
Our impact
$6.1M
granted to sight-saving research as of October 2026, from giveaway fundraisers and direct donations. Every mile below was paid for by entries like yours.
To Axovia Therapeutics, to move a gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa caused by BBS1 toward a clinical trial.
Oct 2024Second Axovia grant: GLP toxicology, manufacturing, and the regulatory work needed before a trial could open.
Dec 2024Third Axovia grant, bringing AXV-101 funding to $4M; the UK trial application was cleared in Q3 2025.
Sep 2025Closed the remaining funding gap; RAB's total funding for AXV-101 reaches $5.1M, from lab to first patient.
Jan 2026With Foundation Fighting Blindness: $775,000 to the RD Fund for gene-agnostic research, matched dollar-for-dollar by the Gund Foundation Challenge, and $225,000 to Dr. Thomas Mendel at Ohio State.
Jun 2026Researchers worldwide can now apply for RAB funding through the Grants Portal.
Aug 2026Amounts and dates come from our grant records and update when a new grant is announced. Each grant links to its announcement where available.
About us
It isn't a race we run. It's a race against time. Kristina and Stephen Johnston founded A Race Against Blindness after their son Luke was diagnosed with Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a rare genetic condition that is slowly taking his sight. What began as a race to fund one gene therapy for one gene has grown into funding research across inherited retinal diseases, a grants program for scientists, and an education hub for families.
No treatment existed for RP caused by BBS1. We decided to fund one.
Our family became the first donor, donating our first prize: the 2023 Adventure Van giveaway fundraiser that started it all.
To Axovia Therapeutics for AXV-101, a gene therapy for RP caused by BBS1.
A total of $5.1M in grant support from RAB made this trial initiation possible.
New $1M grant to gene-agnostic clinical research in partnership with Foundation Fighting Blindness.
Luke’s story of seeing the world before losing more vision was featured on GMA, helping propel our mission to the national level.
Winner's circle
Real winners
Every review you see here is collected and verified by Trustpilot, not by us. We can't edit them, hide them, or pick the order.
We show every star rating, one through five, because that's what transparency means.
The heartfelt communication, huge efforts toward transparency, and community building/awareness give me 100% confidence in this non-profit.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Marcia T)Very easy to donate and the contributions were very well explained to the donors.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Debbie)I truly appreciate the follow up emails after your donation is placed. The confirmation of being a non profit organization etc. with receipt that reassures me of it's legitimacy. The request for confirmation that your phone number etc. is correct.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Shelly A.)This organization is very prompt and thorough in regards to letting you know the status of your donation. And, it is for a great cause!!
Read on Trustpilot (review by Nicole Short)I love being apart of such a great organization!
Read on Trustpilot (review by T.Payne)Hallo, Race Against Blindess., given " oportunities" what everyone should have, the right to enjoy the world as it was created, with love and care. Thank you!
Read on Trustpilot (review by Norma P. Dawson)This organization is doing a wonderful job. A charity that actually gives to one of the most important reasons in a person's life and that is eyesight.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Judy Pech)I love the premise of the contests. Childhood blindness is a tragedy. I'm so glad to see someone calling attention to it and in a big way. Pairing with dealerships is a win-win way to do it. Funds for research, dealership notoriety and tax sriteoffs, plus the contest winners. Very smart. I hope it continues and that the research is fruitful.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Jo-Jo)
Not taking the donations for granted.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Adeola O Oniyirokun)Prioritizing kids health
Read on Trustpilot (review by Andreina Gallo huskey)It is always nice to be able to give to someone or some organization to help in a very serious cause.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Angel Valentin)I certainly appreciate the contests, but the truly important part is the research. My sister has the same disease as your son. And although any treatment or cure may be too late for her the hope is something is found soon to help others.
Read on Trustpilot (review by James Shireman)My experiences have been great! Thank you for helping so many others!
Read on Trustpilot (review by Sandra)Very transparent with all information.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Solmary Zayas)I have always had vision problems and was born pretty much blind in one eye and am loosing sight in my good eye now. When I was young it was considered my own tough luck that I could not see out of one eye and my eye sight was getting progressively worse. As an adult I found out a lot about my eyes, and believe my good eye would not have lost vision if the doctors had treated my eye problems differently. They know a lot more these days. I am thankful I still have enough sight to be out on my property in the wilderness enjoying the peace and beauty. Fortunately I can see well enough to drive. I will still be here enjoying it even If I go fully blind. I like your proactive approach to your son’s eye condition, and your desire to find a cure for him and other children with the same condition. I think your fundraiser is a worthy cause, and like your fun give aways, that will get people out exploring our beautiful United States. Keep up the good work.
Read on Trustpilot (review by P. Gillani)The experience is more about donating to a great cause than the amazing items offered.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Robert D)Fun,easy,for a great cause
Read on Trustpilot (review by John Dick)So happy that we can contribute to a great cause!
Read on Trustpilot (review by Ambre luzaich)Very honest and informative, down to earth interactions. What a great way to support a cause!
Read on Trustpilot (review by Mary Rambin)I have something called Fuch's Dystrophy. And I have had one corneal transplant already. Saving my sight is very important. So helping save others is important too.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Chester and Penny)I just like supporting this Charity it's a fun Charity, the family who started it on behalf of their son and then included everybody else who is suffering with this debilitating eye disease is just really top shelf. They're out there doing God's work and I would highly recommend that everybody who runs across this Charity to please support it regardless of whether you win or not it's it's a win-win when you support a Charity spiritually. God pays you back for that and hey you never know might walk away with a really awesome prize.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Pat)What could be more rewarding than helping a great cause? This is such a wonderful organization, because not only does it help to raise funds for important research, but also allows you to possibly win wonderful and practical items that could bring family closer together. Who wouldn’t want a chance to win a vacation home on wheels and/or other awesome items?!?!?
Read on Trustpilot (review by Lisa Adkins)The fact that it gives people hope for a cure from research is the number one thing. Then instead of just asking for handouts they get big companies to donate something to the cause to entice people to give.
Read on Trustpilot (review by steven berenguer)The faith, fight and focus this family has to find a cure for their son is a joy to witness. I stand with and support this fundraiser in a race against blindness!
Read on Trustpilot (review by Camille Waschneck)Reviews come from real donors and supporters who entered a fundraiser or had a direct interaction with our team, each one verified by Trustpilot.
Read all reviews on TrustpilotGrant funding updates
Blindness Education Resources
As a family-run nonprofit and parents of a child facing blindness, we know how it felt when we got the diagnosis and didn't know where to begin. The resources were limited, and we felt alone. This education hub is here to help change that.
Open the Education Hub
RAB educational series
Blindness Education Podcasts with Co-Founder Dr. Steve Johnston
An introduction to the free clinical trial hub for inherited retinal diseases.
Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
An overview of vision loss treatment topics, including gene therapy and optogenetics.
Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
A look at how viral vectors deliver missing genes in retinal gene therapy.
Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)For information only. Discuss clinical trial information with your retina specialist.
We founded the nonprofit when we found out our son has a rare genetic condition and is slowly going blind. But that really only scratches the surface in terms of our motivation. Since learning of Luke's diagnosis, we have become strongly connected to the rare-diseases community. While rare diseases are actually not unusual, with more than 7,000 diseases classified as rare, each one individually often affects only a small number of people. Thus many rare diseases don't receive enough attention and resources to help fund research for adequate treatments or even possible cures.
New fundraisers, winners, and grant news, about twice a month. Questions? The Help Center is our front door.
Visit the Help Center
