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January • 2024 ADVERTORIAL
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Foundation Fighting Blindness: Driving Cutting-Edge Research to Save and Restore Vision BEN SHABERMAN, VICE PRESIDENT OF SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS AT FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS
Imagine being diagnosed with a retinal disease that’s progressively robbing you of your vision and will leave you unable to read, drive, or see the faces of loved ones. But then imagine that an eye doctor injects new genes or cells in your retinas, near the back of your eyes, to stop the disease in its tracks and potentially even restore lost vision. Driving the development of these cutting-edge treatments and cures for retinal diseases is the groundbreaking work of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. The Foundation is the global leader in funding research for retinal degenerative conditions— including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, and
Usher syndrome—which affect more than 10 million people in the U.S. and 175 million more worldwide. Since its inception in 1971, the Foundation has raised nearly $900 million toward its urgent mission and currently funds more than 90 projects at the world’s leading retinal research centers. The RD Fund, the Foundation’s venture philanthropy arm, has invested nearly $100 million in biotech start-up companies that are poised to move treatments into human studies. Thanks to Foundation funding, there’s an FDA-approved gene therapy, LUXTURNA®, which has restored vision to children and young adults who were virtually blind from a form of Leber congenital amaurosis, a severe retinal disease. The innovative treatment has enabled many of these patients to put away their navigational canes, see their parents’ faces, and even see stars in the sky for the first time. Today, more than 45 clinical trials are underway for emerging
gene therapies, cellular treatments, and small molecules. The Foundation has funded 88 percent of the current therapies in these human studies. Thanks to its genetic testing program and My Retina Tracker® Registry, the Foundation is connecting patients to researchers and companies conducting clinical trials for emerging therapies. The Foundation’s website, FightingBlindness.org, is chock full of information on these clinical trials, retinal diseases, educational seminars, support resources, and the more than 80 projects funded by the Foundation for cutting-edge research worldwide. “The Foundation is proud of its leadership in driving research for treatments and cures, and advancing promising therapies into clinical trials,” said Jason Menzo, Chief Executive Officer at the Foundation. “We are also very proud of the strong, vibrant community we’ve built. No one ever has to be alone when facing
© PEXELS/ MART PRODUCTION
a challenging retinal condition.” The Foundation’s network of more than 45 active chapters throughout the U.S. enables patients and families to connect with each other for support and social engagement. Chapters host social and educational events throughout the year, connecting researchers and physicians with patients
and families. The Foundation also provides resources for eye care professionals to help them educate and serve their patients. Living with vision loss can be difficult, but you don't have to do it alone. Learn more and find support at FightingBlindness.org
A Year of Giving: This Sister Team is Creating A Movement of Generosity RAYE MOCIOIU
Today’s generation of young adults is passionate about creating a better tomorrow for the future generation. They advocate for inclusion, accessibility, sustainability, and kindness and use their passion to drive their dreams forward. Siblings Shreyaa and Esha Venkat exemplify these ideals, but this team of sisters has been committed to going
SHREYAA AND ESHA VENKAT AT THE FAO WORLD FOOD FORUM, ROME, ITALY © COURTESY OF NEST4US
the extra mile since they were solutions-focused teenagers. They started NEST4US, a non-profit organization working with communities to create volunteer and leadership opportunities for young people. NEST, which stands for Newer Environment Starts Today, aims to empower the younger generation to integrate kindness, generosity, and social good into their daily lives. What began as a simple goal to help those in need has transformed into a global movement of over 7,000 volunteers from diverse backgrounds. Together, they have contributed over $4 million in volunteer hours, impacting tens of thousands in over 30 countries across six continents. “We started off our initial volunteering helping at schools, libraries, and community events, as well as at senior homes and by tutoring kids,” shared co-founder and COO Esha. “We’re also board members of several organizations, providing various volunteer opportunities. But serving solo wasn’t our plan. We really wanted our friends and community to get involved, so we formed NEST4US as a platform
for giving back to the community in many ways. Our goal is to empower the next generation of compassionate youth to integrate kindness, generosity, and social good into their routine.” The non-profit works to address societal issues, focusing on over 14 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including global hunger, climate change, quality education, poverty, sustainability, women’s empowerment, equity, and more. “Our organization focuses on three key issues in the community: food insecurity, lack of motivation to volunteer with a passion, and diversity and inclusion,” Shreyaa continued. “Through social media platforms, we serve as advocates for positive change in the community and promote diversity and inclusion by welcoming people of all backgrounds to our volunteer family.” The sister duo empowers people worldwide to shape their future through engagement in global service movements— and it shows. In 2023 alone, NEST4US has strengthened its growing volunteer family and
made an incredible impact on its community. The duo kicked off the year with the Ultimate Success Summit, featuring inspirational words from Uma Panch from Sydney, Australia, engaging activities about mindfulness and wellbeing, and reflective discussions about goals for the bright new year ahead. In February 2023, NEST4US volunteers joined hands for the Valentine's Special Blessing Bag Project, spreading gratitude to community heroes and giving hope to neighbors in need. That same month, Dominion Trail Elementary School recognized NEST4US with the Venkat House, one of five houses named after major social trailblazers. In the spring, Shreyaa attended CSW67, the largest UN gathering on gender equality, connecting with influential leaders and participating in the Youth Forum. Esha was selected as a Class of 2023 Cameron Impact Scholar in April, receiving a prestigious merit-based scholarship, and Shreyaa was appointed as an FAO World Food Forum Youth Policy Board
Member, contributing to policy recommendations for agrifood systems transformation. Starting the season of giving strong, Shreyaa launched World Mental Health Day With Rare Impact Ambassadors in October, promoting youth-led initiatives for student mental health. The sisters also attended the 2023 FAO World Food Forum Flagship Event, advocating for inclusive food and climate policy recommendations. At the close of the year, NEST4US hosted its annual Service Extravaganza, recognizing exemplary volunteers and providing the community with opportunities to engage in philanthropy. In celebration of Thanksgiving, NEST4Us also participated in the Safeway Feast of Sharing Annual Thanksgiving event, distributing meals and gift bags to the homeless community across DC, and hosted its Annual Thanksgiving Feast for homeless friends in DC. As NEST4US continues to make waves globally, the Venkat sisters show no signs of slowing down in their mission to create a more compassionate and giving world.
ADVERTORIAL
New York Council Navy League Supports the Heroes Who Serve America is a maritime nation, and strong sea services are the driving force of a maritime nation. Sea service personnel make sacrif ices for us, and they deserve our support. The New York Council Navy League is a member-driven military support organization that supports heroes f rom all the sea services—Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine. Established over a century ago in 1902, it holds the distinction of being the f irst council of its kind. Today, boasting a membership of nearly 750 individuals, it stands as one of the largest and most dynamic Navy League councils in operation. Spanning across the greater New York City area, its members encompass a diverse range of backgrounds, including veterans, active-duty personnel, reservists, and civilians, all united by a common goal: to uphold and champion those who serve. Notably, prior military service is not a prerequisite for membership. Our events and programs
serve approximately 10,000 service members and more than 1,500 local youth annually. From large-scale events such as the USS Cooperstown Commissioning Celebration and Fleet Week New York to smaller gatherings like our National Security Brief ings to honoring top enlisted individuals at our adopted units, our members support those who serve all year. Each year, this celebration of service ends with an Anniversary Dinner where we raise crucial funds for the following year’s programming. Our 121st Anniversary Dinner, held on November 16 at The Plaza Hotel, spotlighted two of our 2023 honorees: Tom Higgins, Head of General Services at Fiserv, Inc., who received our Leadership in Support of the Military Award this year, and Medal of Honor Recipient and retired Army Colonel Jack Jacobs, who received the J. Robert Lunney Patriot’s Award. Attendees had the opportunity to meet and dine with special guests f rom the federal and city governments,
all branches of the sea services, our evening’s Master of Ceremonies Gary Jobson, and our corporate sponsors, which include The Tom & Cindy Secunda Family Foundation, HII, Morgan Stanley, Fiserv and Milio Management. The funds raised f rom the 121st Anniversary Dinner will go toward new and developing programs aimed at educating the public and elected officials on the signif icance of the sea services. Additionally, they will focus on nurturing youth leadership development and, most crucially, providing unwavering support to sea service heroes, their families, and their units. The New York Council Navy League relies on its dedicated members for both its mission and funding, so we encourage everyone who shares our vision to visit our website, participate in our events, consider making a donation, and become a member. For more information and to learn more, visit nynavyleague.com
TOM HIGGINS OF FISERV, INC., SEEN HERE WITH USS COOPERSTOWN SAILORS AND NYC DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES COMMISSIONER JAMES HENDON, RECEIVED THE NEW YORK COUNCIL NAVY LEAGUE’S 2023 LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORT OF THE MILITARY AWARD AT THEIR 121ST ANNIVERSARY DINNER ON NOVEMBER 16. © COURTESY OF NEW YORK COUNCIL NAVY LEAGUE
