Arizona Chapter
Contact Info
Juliana Gaona, Chapter Engagement Manager, Southwest
chapters@fightingblindness.org
Greetings from sunny Arizona!
We are a thriving and growing chapter, dedicated to carrying on the mission of FFB and to provide community and support for individuals and families affected by inherited retinal diseases. Our annual VisionWalk is held in February and is one of the most attended across all VisionWalks. Additionally, we organize several chapter meetings a year as well a golf tournament fundraiser in May and our annual Dining in the Dark in fall. We also have other social and networking opportunities planned for the year. Please contact me for further information and if you would like to get involved with the planning.
Fai Mo, Arizona Chapter President
Arizona Chapter Leadership
| Name | Role |
| Julie Gaona | Chapter Engagement Manager |
| Fai Mo | Chapter President |
| Colin Danna | Vice President |
| Theresa Maresco | Resource Chair |
| Artemis Shamamian | Education Chair |
| Kerri Ringel | Revenue Chair |
| Rhonda Carroll | Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Chair |
Foundation Contact
Juliana Gaona
Chapter Engagement Manager, Southwest
jgaona[at]fightingblindness.orgChapter Events
National Chapters Vision Webinar – Cell Based Therapies
The Foundation Fighting Blindness is presenting a free, national webinar on cell-based therapies. The event will include an introduction to cell-based therapies provided by Ben Shaberman, the Foundation’s vice president of science communications, as well as presentations by featured speakers.
Past Webinars and Speaker Events
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November 6, 2021 Speaker Series
The Arizona Chapter Speaker Series featured Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Independent Living Blind/Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB), Talking Book Library and VRATE Conference.
Watch Video -
National Chapter Vision Webinar: Nourishing Better Vision
Paul Bernstein, MD, PhD, Val A. and Edith D. Green Presidential Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Moran Eye Center, University of Utah.
Watch Video -
May 17, 2022 Speaker Series
This presentation covers the topic of assistive technology. Our guest speaker, Spencer Peterson, VIST Coordinator, Northern AZ VA, talks through the latest and most effective technology to assist with everyday life.
Watch Video
Arizona Art in the Dark
Art in the Dark is a powerful artistic experience, inviting you into a world of sensitivity you may never have experienced, leading you through a unique journey in the dark. Guests are encouraged to create a mixed media mosaic while blindfolded to experience vision loss firsthand. The evening’s proceeds support research into gene, stem cell, and pharmaceutical-based therapies for blinding retinal degenerative diseases, including macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa, which affect more than 10 million Americans.
Additional Resources
- Find a Doctor Who Sees Patients with Inherited Retinal Diseases
- Learn more about Raising our Sights Do-It-Yourself Events
