Non-profit funding sight-saving research for children
Stories of Hope
Follow A Race Against Blindness research funding, inherited retinal disease developments, community stories, grant announcements, and updates from families racing toward sight-saving treatments.
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RAB has funded a second $1 million grant with the Foundation Fighting Blindness for gene-agnostic research: $700,000 to the Gund Vision Fund, matched to $1.4 million, and $300,000 to Dr. Jin Woo Kim's regenerative research at KAIST.
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Every dollar below has been paid out to research, made possible by the generosity of our sponsors and donors. Real people making an impact on saving children's eyesight.
total research funding, fully paid out · as of November 2026
$3M awarded
To fund the preclinical development and regulatory preparation of AXV-101, a gene therapy for Bardet-Biedl Syndrome type 1 (BBS1), advancing the program toward its first human clinical trial.
$2.1M awarded
To support clinical development of the first-in-human trial, including trial preparation and regulatory progress following clinical trial clearance, and to close the remaining funding gap required to launch the AXV-101 clinical trial, enabling the study to begin in early 2026.
$2M awarded
Through two grants to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, to fund gene-agnostic research: in June, the Gund Vision Fund (formerly the RD Fund) and early-stage gene therapy delivery research with Dr. Thomas Mendel; in November, the Gund Vision Fund and regenerative research with Dr. Jin Woo Kim at KAIST. The Gund Foundation Challenge matched the $1,475,000 directed to the Fund dollar for dollar.
Every A Race Against Blindness fundraiser has a free mail-in entry worth 50 entries under the current rules. Step-by-step instructions, eligibility, and what to expect after you mail your card.
Read moreA Race Against Blindness was founded by two parents after their son's Bardet-Biedl syndrome diagnosis. How a donated van became $7.1 million in research grants and the first gene-therapy trial for BBS.
Read moreEvery A Race Against Blindness fundraiser is a sweepstakes with free mail-in entry, an independent administrator who draws the winner, a live announcement and a winner day. Here is each step, from the Official Rules.
Read moreAwareness Through Advertising Our ad campaigns are about more than prizes. They spark awareness for Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, connect us daily with families across rare disease and vision loss communities, and help lift up the work of other nonprofits. Every ad is a chance to build awareness, connection, and impact.
Read moreSome wonder why we host several fundraisers each year. The answer is urgency: children with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome are losing vision every day. Running multiple campaigns helps us raise funds quickly, reach more people, and keep hope alive for sight-saving research.
Read moreIf you’ve seen our ads online, that’s intentional — it means our mission to fight blindness is reaching more people. Learn why advertising is a key investment in awareness and fundraising.
Read moreWe take donor stewardship seriously. See exactly how your contributions are used to advance research, raise awareness, and deliver prizes to sweepstakes winners — with full transparency.
Read moreTransparency is at our core. Here’s how you can verify our nonprofit status, read our annual reports, and see independent recognition from trusted organizations.
Read moreYour trust matters. In this article, we explain how we process donations securely, protect your personal data, and ensure safe participation in our fundraisers.
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