[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 176 (Wednesday, October 6, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S6941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS

 Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the 50th 
anniversary of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. This Maryland-based 
nonprofit has become the world's leading private source of research 
funding to save and restore vision for individuals affected by blinding 
retinal diseases like macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and 
Usher syndrome. These conditions currently affect more than 10 million 
Americans--and millions more throughout the world.
  Even though the foundation has a global reach, its origins are local. 
In 1971, a Maryland family learned that two of their three daughters 
were going blind. At the time, there was no treatment for blindness and 
few resources for the blind; the family was only told to teach their 
daughters Braille. Despite these challenging circumstances, this brave 
family banded together with friends and community members to organize a 
movement around those struggling with blindness. These early efforts 
paved the way for the establishment of the foundation we know today.
  Since its creation, the foundation has raised over $800 million to 
support cutting-edge research at the vanguard of the fight to cure 
blindness. Their efforts have identified more than 270 genes that cause 
retinal diseases and led to more than 40 clinical trials for potential 
sight-saving and sight-restoring therapies. The first-ever FDA-approved 
gene therapy for inherited retinal research was made possible thanks to 
$10 million in funding from the foundation. This innovative treatment 
has enabled children and young adults born virtually blind to see the 
faces of their parents and even gaze at stars in the sky.
  The millions of dollars raised by this organization have already 
helped make big strides in the area of blindness research, but the 
foundation's work is far from over. Today, the foundation continues to 
invest in new frontiers of discovery. Their funding is fueling efforts 
by major biotech and pharmaceutical companies to move more therapies 
from the lab bench to clinical trials and, hopefully, treatments. And 
through its unwavering commitment and persistence, the foundation 
raised the funds to establish the first ever interdisciplinary 
laboratory dedicated to research for inherited retinal diseases, which 
will serve as an engine of future discoveries and advancements.
  The foundation's work inspires us all, and I ask my colleagues to 
join me in commending the founders and leaders of the Foundation 
Fighting Blindness on their 50 years of innovative work transforming 
the lives of millions around the world.

                          ____________________