Los Angeles Chapter

Chapter Contact

Xavier Garcia

xgarcia@fightingblindness.org

I’m involved with the Foundation because the organization continues to provide support and hope for all of us in the visually impaired and blind community so we know we’re not alone in the fight against blinding diseases.

Adam Lawrence, Chapter President

Chapter Events

  • Los Angeles Chapter Presentation

    • Mar 24, 2026
    • 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (PST)
    • Virtual

    Disaster Preparedness for the Visually Impaired

    Community Event

  • Los Angeles Vision Connection

    • Apr 18, 2026
    • 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (PST)
    • 1450 San Pablo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033

    Join the Foundation Fighting Blindness for Vision Connection, an enriching and supportive gathering across the Foundation Chapter network for the blind and low vision community.

    Community Event

  • Los Angeles Chapter Event with Guide Dogs of America

    • May 2, 2026
    • 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (PDT)
    • 13479 Glenoaks Blvd, Sylmar, CA 91342

    Experience what it’s like to walk in a visually impaired person’s shoes.

    Community Event

  • Los Angeles VisionWalk

    • Sep 19, 2026
    • 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (PDT)
    • 2000 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405

    Join us for the 20th Annual Los Angeles VisionWalk!

    VisionWalk

Los Angeles Chapter Leadership

Name Role
Adam Lawrence Chapter President

Sheri Lawrence

 Vice President

Adam Unger

 Corporate Engagement Chair

Joslyn Sky Marquez

 Community Outreach Chair

Delaney Milton

Member at Large

Renee Duryee

Member at Large

Shauna Casey

Member at Large

Ben Slattery

Member at Large

Jeff Rodriguez

Member at Large

Arushi Somani

 Member at Large

Mariamawit Moges

 VisionWalk Corporate Engagement Chair

Past Webinars and Speaker Events

  • Los Angeles Community Connections – February 17, 2025

    "You're Losing Your Sight, Now What?" presented by Dr. Alfredo Sadun from Doheny Eye Institute of UCLA.

    Watch Video

  • Southern California Virtual Speaker Series – Working with a Retinal Specialist

    Dr. Shyamanga Borooah, an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Shiley Eye Institute in San Diego, presents frequent questions when coming to see a retinal specialist on the first or subsequent visit.

    Watch Video

  • Los Angeles Chapter Speaker Series – 01/17/2024

    Kristin McDonald discusses her experience as a participant in the jCyte clinical trial to rescue photo receptor cells. Jacqueline Hantgan informs the group about her role as an advocate for continued stem cell research in California.

    Watch Video

  • LA Community Connections – Cooking with Vision Loss

    Debra Erickson from The Blind Kitchen share techniques and tools for cooking safely with vision loss.

    Watch Video

Additional Resources

  • Find a doctor who sees patients with inherited retinal diseases
  • Learn more about our Vision Warrior program and do-it-yourself events