Fighting Blindness Teams Up with GAA to Advance the Fight Against Inherited Retinal Diseases
In a significant development for the inherited retinal disease (IRD) community, Fighting Blindness, an Irish patient-led charity, was selected as one of the official charities of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) for 2013. This partnership, announced on July 2, 2013, represents a crucial opportunity to elevate awareness about sight loss and generate vital funding for research and support services for those affected by IRDs and other blinding conditions.
The collaboration was formally launched at Croke Park, with GAA Director General Páraic Duffy in attendance, alongside current and former players such as Barney Rock, Pat Fox, Eoghan O'Flaherty, Aindreas Doyle, and Sinead Finnegan, who lent their support. This initiative is expected to provide both a financial contribution from the GAA and a powerful platform to highlight the impact of sight loss in Ireland.
Tony Ward, Head of Fundraising at Fighting Blindness, expressed gratitude for the nomination, emphasizing the dual benefit of the partnership: a generous donation and the chance to raise awareness among the estimated 224,000 to 225,000 people affected by sight loss in Ireland. Fighting Blindness has a long-standing commitment to research, having invested over €10 million into more than 40 research projects aimed at finding treatments and cures for blindness over the past thirty years. The charity also provides support through its Insight Counselling Centre and engages in extensive advocacy and patient empowerment activities.
For patients and families living with inherited retinal diseases, this partnership signifies increased visibility and potential for progress. The GAA's reach and influence offer an unprecedented opportunity to educate the wider public about the challenges of sight loss and the critical need for research funding. The direct grant, reported to be in the region of €20,000, combined with fundraising opportunities through centrally organized events, will bolster Fighting Blindness's efforts. Awareness initiatives, such as a 'blindfold challenge' undertaken by sports stars at the launch, aim to provide a momentary experience of sight loss, fostering empathy and understanding.
The partnership comes at a pivotal time, as many flagship research projects supported by Fighting Blindness are reportedly reaching clinical trial stages. This suggests that treatments for sight loss may be within reach for the first time in history. The support from the GAA is anticipated to bring the community one step closer to achieving the mission of curing blindness and supporting those affected.