Cleveland Chapter

^{The Strength of the Foundation is Through Our Communities}

The Foundation Fighting Blindness Chapter network brings people together across the country to join in fighting blinding retinal diseases. Our family of volunteers and leaders stand up for those impacted by blinding diseases. From day one, they share the latest research and advancements, and provide access to local resources to guide individuals through their personal journey. And together, they celebrate the Foundation’s mission.

We are winning thanks to the dedication of our Chapters focusing on three key areas: education, resources, and revenue. Through informative sessions, Foundation staff, community, and national experts provide research information, low vision resources, and outreach to our local retinal specialists and eye care professionals. To continue accelerating our mission, each community is invited to be a stakeholder by participating in our fundraising events.

The Foundation Fighting Blindness Chapter Vision

Our vision is to bring a community together to end blinding diseases.

_{Cleveland Chapter Leadership}

Name	Role
Allie Sarwark	Chapter Engagement Manager
Paula Dubecky	Chapter President
Jenna Olson	Vice President
Sandy Krems	Resource Chair
Mike Garlow	Education Chair
Antoinette Morrison	Revenue Chair
Gagan Kalra	Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Chair

Foundation Contact

Allie Sarwark

Manager, Chapter Engagement

+1 (847) 680-1096

asarwark[at]fightingblindness.org

Chapter Events

May 11, 2024

16th Annual Cleveland VisionWalk

Since its inception in the Spring of 2006, VisionWalk has raised over $64 million to fund sight-saving research. Join your VisionWalk community! Together, we step closer to fighting blinding diseases.

Event

^{Cleveland Chapter Speaker Series – October 9, 2021}

Below is a recording from our recent Cleveland Chapter Speaker Series which included the following featured presentations:

Finding a Cure for Blinding Diseases. An inside look
Speaker: Bela Anand-Apte, M.D., Ph.D. from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Free audio book services for individuals with vision impairments
Speaker: Kenneth Redd, Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled
Connection between Lions Club and the Foundation
Speaker: John Naples, Parma Hills Lions