out to patients who need it. Foundation-funded researchers are using stem cells derived from a variety of sources, including a person's own skin, to create healthy retinal cells that can potentially restore vision. Stem cell treatments hold great promise for people with advanced vision loss. The Foundation is also funding clinical trials of a tiny innovative capsule that is inserted into the eye to slow vision loss from a variety of retinal degenerative diseases. Foundation Fighting Blindness Clinical Research Institute The Foundation Fighting Blindness Clinical Research Institute works to accelerate the translation of laboratory-based research into clinical trials for treatments and cures of retinal degenerative diseases. As a support organization and the translational arm of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, it aims to develop a bridge between scientific, clinical, governmental, pharmaceutical and financial communities to advance clinical trials of sight-saving treatments and therapies. The FFB Clinical Research Institute invests funds to support Phase I and Phase II clinical trials to expedite the commercialization of treatments for conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal diseases, and also provides assistance to the management of clinical trials and subsequent commercialization. Grants The Foundation Fighting Blindness currently funds more than 120 grants, including the modules of 14 Centers. The research projects of these grants are conducted by research investigators at more than 70 Institutions, Eye Hospitals and Universities. In addition to funding researchers within the United States, Foundation funding extends internationally including laboratories in Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, China, and the Netherlands. Fundraising and public education The Foundation has nearly 50 volunteer-led chapters across the U.S. These volunteers raise funds for research, increase public awareness, and provide support to their communities. Through its communications and public health outreach programs, the Foundation educates individuals affected with retinal disease and their families about research developments, clinical trials, and coping with low vision. In addition to grants and individual and corporate gifts, the Foundation hosts a series of fundraising events across the country, including VisionWalks, Dining in the Dark dinners, and Visionary Awards galas. As promising treatments move into critical human studies, the need for research funding is greater than ever before. VisionWalk VisionWalk is the national signature fundraising event of the Foundation Fighting Blindness that also acts as a celebration of the Fighting Blindness community. Occurring every fall in 36 locations, participants join teams and fund raise