16th Annual Artistry of Wine raises $89,000 for Foundation Fighting Blindness
Submitted by Ripple Public Relations LLC
The Foundation Fighting Blindness, the world's largest private funder of sight-saving retinal disease research, hosted the 16th Annual Artistry of Wine June 22 at the Highland Park Country Club. The 242 attendees enjoyed tastings from some of the top restaurants in the Chicago area along with a silent auction and a sweepstakes drawing to win a chance to drive a new Tesla SUV for a long weekend.
The event raised $89,000 to support the foundation's mission to advance research into preventions, treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases including age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa that affect more than 10 million Americans, young and old. As promising treatments move into critical human studies, the need for research funding is greater than ever.
Artistry of Wine Co-Chairs and Foundation Fighting Blindness National Trustees Joel and Barbara Stone of Highland Park have two sons affected with retinitis pigmentosa.
"When our first son, Michael, was diagnosed we were told there is no treatment or cure for his degenerating retinal disease," Barbara said. "Today there is still no cure, but thanks to the promising research funded by the Foundation Fighting Blindness, there is hope for a brighter future for all those affected with these blinding diseases."
Featured tasting stations at the event were: Bella Via, Bent Fork Bakery, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Copper Fiddle Distillery, Half Day Brewing Company, Highland Park Country Club, KOVAL Distillery, La Macchina Café, Maggiano's Little Italy, Onion Garden, Park Street, Uncle Julio's, Pinstripes, Revolution Brewery, and Spin-Spun All Natural Confections.
Since 1971, the Foundation Fighting Blindness has raised nearly $700 million as the leading nongovernmental funder of inherited retinal research. Breakthrough Foundation-funded studies using gene therapy have restored significant vision in children and young adults who were previously blind, paving the way for additional clinical trials to treat a variety of retinal diseases. The foundation also has nearly 45 chapters that provide support, information and resources to affected individuals and their families in communities across the country.
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