Girls' Generation's Sooyoung Boosts Inherited Retinal Disease Research with Significant Donation
The Inherited Retinal Disease (IRD) community is receiving a significant boost thanks to a generous donation from Girls' Generation member and actress, Sooyoung. Her commitment to advancing treatments for IRDs, driven by a deeply personal connection, offers renewed hope and highlights the critical need for continued research and advocacy in this field.
Sooyoung donated 300 million Korean Won (KRW) to support the development of treatments for genetic retinal diseases. This substantial contribution was made in collaboration with the Korean Foundation Fighting Blindness and was directed towards OligoNGene Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a company recently established by Dr. Park Tae Kwan of Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital. The donation, announced on August 21, 2023, by Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, also saw Sooyoung creating a patient investment fund named 'Retina 1' to further support genetic retinal disease treatments.
Sooyoung's advocacy stems from her father's long-standing battle with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a genetic eye disorder that progressively causes vision loss. Her father, Choi Jeong Nam, established the Korean Foundation Fighting Blindness in the early 2000s and has consistently supported organizations researching rare ophthalmic diseases. Sooyoung has been a long-time ambassador for the Campaign Against Blindness, consistently supporting individuals with visual impairments and hereditary retinal diseases. She has also expressed her desire to continue her father's legacy in this important work.
For patients and families affected by IRDs, such contributions are invaluable. They directly fuel the research and development efforts necessary to uncover new therapies and ultimately, potential cures. This kind of dedicated funding helps accelerate scientific breakthroughs, bringing us closer to a future where vision loss from IRDs can be prevented or reversed. Sooyoung's public involvement also brings much-needed awareness to these rare conditions, fostering a greater understanding and encouraging broader support within the community.
Sooyoung's continued engagement, including her participation in events like the 'Harmony Marathon with the Visually Impaired' in June 2026, demonstrates a sustained commitment to the cause. Her actions serve as a powerful reminder that collective effort and personal dedication are crucial in the ongoing race against blindness, inspiring others to join the fight and support critical research initiatives.