San Diego 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.

San Diego Chapter Leadership

Name	Role
Elena Kaltsas	President
Raquel Alim	Vice President
India Kaltsas West	Corporate Engagement Chair
Maryam Abdul Sattar	Community Engagement Chair
Jane Federle	Member at Large

Chapter Events

PRPH2 Workshop 2026
- Sep 9, 2026 - Sep 11, 2026
- 5:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- 10950 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037
The Foundation Fighting Blindness, together with the Nixon Visions Foundation, invites you to join a free, in-person workshop bringing together individuals and families affected by PRPH2 and associated retinal diseases, along with researchers, physicians, and industry partners.

Foundation Event
San Diego VisionWalk
- Oct 25, 2026
- 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (PDT)
- To Be Announced Soon!, San Diego, CA
Join us the 19th Annual San Diego VisionWalk!

VisionWalk
San Diego Vision Connection
- Oct 28, 2026
- 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (PDT)
- 9449 Campus Point Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037
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

San Diego Chapter Resources

Resource Download

Download San Diego Chapter Resource Guide

Download San Diego Chapter Resource Guide (PDF, 502 KB)

^{Past Events}

The San Diego Chapter hosts many activities from social activities, to education seminars, and fundraising events. If you’d like to join us for our next event, contact us at SanDiego@FightingBlindness.org.

2023 San Diego VisionWalk

Play video:

San Diego Past Events

San Diego Chapter Social – December, 2023
San Diego VisionWalk Kickoff - September 9, 2023
World Para Athletics Championships – July 2023
San Diego Chapter member, Isaac Jean Paul, recently took home the gold medal in the men’s long jump event at the World Para Athletics Championships held in Paris, France in July 2023
San Diego Chapter Social
Bowling Social – February 25, 2023
Bowling Social – February 25, 2023
Speaker Series – June 3, 2023. Claire Gelfman, chief scientific officer, presenting on stage.
Speaker Series – June 3, 2023. Group of individuals with their white canes coming together at a point.
San Diego Chapter Social – December 2024. 11 San Diego chapter members posing for a group photo in front of a gazebo.