Raise Awareness, Funds For Group
Forest Hills resident Sherry Rogers was presented with the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ Volunteer of the Year Award for the Northeast Region for her excellent service in support of the nonprofit’s mission to save and restore sight lost to retinal diseases.
The annual honor acknowledges her service in support of the Foundation’s mission to save and restore sight lost to retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, and Usher syndrome.
The award was presented in front of more than 500 people at the Foundation’s VISIONS 2012 national conference Awards Dinner on Saturday, June 30 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, Minn.
Currently president of the Foundation’s New York City Chapter, Rogers has greatly contributed to the fight against blindness since first taking on a leadership role with the chapter in 2007. She is affected with the progressive vision-robbing genetic disease retinitis pigmentosa and determined to raise awareness locally and drive research toward treatments and cures.
In 2008, she started a networking group in Queens for people living with retinal disease, which has flourished and provided invaluable support for those looking to connect with others experiencing similar challenges. In addition, her “Vision Warriors” team has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the annual New York City 5K VisionWalk that unites hundreds in Central Park to support sight-saving research.
“Without inspiring community leaders like Sherry Rogers, the Foun- dation Fighting Blindness would not be in the position we are today-actually restoring vision in human clinical trials,” says Bill Schmidt, CEO of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. “We are truly grateful for her ongoing drive to make a difference for the more than 10 million Americans living with retinal diseases.”
A total of nine individual member excellence awards and six group awards to chapters and VisionWalk events were presented for the second year at VISIONS 2012. The four-day conference united hundreds of visually impaired attendees and their loved ones to learn about the latest developments in retinal research from world-class scientists, improve their skills for coping with low vision, and meet others from across the country living with similar diseases.
Since 1971, the Foundation has raised over $450 million as the leading non-governmental funder of retinal research. With a network of nearly 50 chapters, the Foundation also provides support, education and resources to affected individuals and their families in communities across the country.
