When you enter one of our sweepstakes fundraisers you’re doing more than taking a chance at winning a prize. You’re becoming part of a bigger mission: funding urgent, sight-saving research for children and families living with rare genetic conditions like Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS).
Here’s exactly how a contribution makes its way from your entry to scientific progress.
Step 1: The Fundraiser
Every campaign we run — whether it’s for an adventure van, a dream trip, or another exciting prize — is designed to bring in as much support as possible. Prizes are carefully chosen to attract attention from people outside our immediate rare disease community, allowing us to grow our donor base and mission reach.
Step 2: Entry Collection and Administration
A trusted third-party sweepstakes agency:
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Collects entries
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Verifies eligibility
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Randomly selects the winner
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Sends us the official results
This process ensures complete fairness and compliance, while freeing our team to focus on what matters most — funding research and awareness efforts.
Step 3: Covering Fundraiser Costs
Before net proceeds can be distributed to mission-related work, we cover the necessary costs of running the fundraiser. This includes:
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The prize itself (purchased at discount or donated - we have some INCREDIBLE sponsors)
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Marketing and advertising to ensure visibility and participation
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Required sweepstakes administration fees
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Operational expenses, including staff time to manage the campaigns
Step 4: Funding Research Grants
Once the fundraiser ends and costs are covered, the net proceeds go directly into advancing our mission. For example:
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In 2024, we awarded $3 million in grants to support a promising planned clinical trial for a potential gene therapy treatment for blindness caused by BBS. (2024 RAB Annual Report)
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In 2023, our launch year, we funded critical groundwork that paved the way for larger research grants. (2023 RAB Annual Report)
These grants are made after careful due diligence and in partnership with leading researchers and organizations.
Step 5: Scientific Progress and Patient Impact
The funds you help raise are not sitting idle — they’re driving real, tangible progress. Research we support is focused on treatments that could:
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Slow or stop vision loss
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Restore functional sight
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Improve quality of life for patients and families facing rare retinal conditions
Step 6: Reporting Back to You
We believe donors deserve to see the results of their contributions. That’s why we:
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Publish detailed Annual Reports each year
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Share updates on research milestones through our blog, email newsletters, and social media
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Post every sweepstakes winner publicly on our Winners Page
The Bottom Line
Your donation doesn’t stop at an entry. It travels through a carefully managed process that maximizes impact — turning excitement for a prize into funding for groundbreaking science.
When you participate, you’re helping us race toward a future where children with BBS and other rare retinal diseases can live without the fear of losing their sight.
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