“We’re thrilled to recognize Teri
Ardleigh Swift’s visionary leadership in advancing research
for age-related macular degeneration and other debilitating
eye conditions through her work,” says Bill Schmidt, CEO,
Foundation Fighting Blindness. “The funds raised through
Banking on a Cure will help develop treatments in promising
areas such as gene, stem cell and pharmaceutical therapies,
with several clinical trials already underway for patients
losing precious vision to retinal disease.”
An ophthalmology therapeutics company
based in West Palm Beach, Florida,
Xcovery Vision is
conducting the
first-ever clinical trial
of an oral angiogenesis inhibitor for the treatment of
neovascular wet AMD. This oral medication would be a less
invasive treatment option for patients than the injection
drugs currently on the market.
Ms. Ardleigh Swift
understands the impact of AMD because her late mother
suffered from this leading cause of vision loss among older
Americans. Formerly an alternate member of the U.S. Olympic
Equestrian Team, she worked with BioCatalyst International
and Upstate Biotechnology before becoming VP of Business
Development for Xconomy LLC in 2006.
“I am humbled and touched by this honor
from the Foundation Fighting Blindness. This is an
organization I have admired for many years since my own
mother was afflicted by macular degeneration. It was her
suffering that inspired my interest and passion for this
horrible condition that is affecting so many around the
world. I look forward to working with the Foundation to
continue to expand their outreach as their work is so
important to coincide with the development of these drugs to
fight all eye related afflictions," says Ardleigh Swift.
Banking on a Cure’s board chair is
Daniel G. Bergstein, Paul
Hastings senior counsel, who has three generations of family
members affected with
RP. The event’s honorary
co-chairs are Foundation Fighting Blindness national
trustees, Iris and Reuven Spiegel, who became involved
because their daughter Tali is affected with RP. Mr.
Spiegel, president and CEO of Israel Discount Bank, was
honored with the Foundation’s Visionary Award in 2010. The
event’s young professional co-chairs are Noah Rabinsky, Vice
President of MidOcean Partners, and Bradford Manning,
Partner at Macoma Capital Group.
Banking on a Cure will also feature a
special performance by
Justin
Kauflin, a visually impaired jazz musician and
songwriter who hasn’t let blindness interfere with his dream
to pursue music.
What: Banking
on a Cure, Benefiting the Foundation Fighting Blindness
Where: The Plaza Hotel
Fifth Avenue at
58th Street
New York, NY
10019
When: Wednesday, March 6, 2013
6 p.m.
Reception
7 p.m. Dinner
& Award Presentation
About Foundation Fighting
Blindness
The
Foundation Fighting Blindness is a Columbia,
Maryland-based non-profit organization driving the research
that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for
retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome
and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases
that affect more than 10 million Americans. Since 1971, the
Foundation has raised over $500 million as the leading
non-governmental funder of 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 degenerative diseases,
and proving a cure is in sight. With a network of nearly 50
chapters, the Foundation also provides support, information
and resources to affected individuals and their families in
communities across the country.