Foundation Fighting Blindness

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Updates:

June, 2026 -- Life-changing news from the Foundation Fighting Blindness -- Jim and I just returned from the FFB United in Visions conference in Texas. It was so wonderful being there — we always return home motivated and inspired to continue our steadfast support for this sight-saving research.

The amazing news coming out of this event is that at least 5 FDA approvals for cures and treatments will happen within the next year. Not a “we hope,” “potentially,” or “maybe” — will happen. Within five years, an additional 2–3 are projected.

Thinking about this, and the contribution that District 24-L Lions have made to make this happen, brings tears to my eyes. Depending on our fundraising total from this year’s VisionWalk, we may reach $300,000 raised since 2010.

District 24-L is still fundraising for the FFB VisionWalk. The DC Metro FFB Chapter is only $3,500 away from reaching a milestone goal of $200,000. If you or your club have not yet donated, it would be so great to have your support to get us over the top. Checks can be made payable to FFB and mailed to Lion Davida at 11902 Winstead Lane, Reston. Online donations can be made through the District team page District 24L: https://give.fightingblindness.org/district24lions26

Yours in service, Lion Davida, 703-819-8621

May 2026 -- This has been an extraordinary month for our fight against blindness and vision loss. We began the month with an inspiring presentation on Capitol Hill, highlighting the groundbreaking scientific progress being driven by the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Seeing lawmakers and researchers united around the future of sight-saving treatments was truly powerful.

We also celebrated a beautiful and successful VisionWalk day filled with energy, hope, and momentum. Because of your generosity and support, we are now within reach of an incredible milestone of $200,000 raised for the DC Metro VisionWalk. We are only $5,000 away from reaching that goal.

In addition, the Foundation hosted an impactful national mental health webinar on May 23, reminding all of us that vision loss affects not only eyesight, but emotional well-being, independence, and families. The Foundation continues to support our community in so many meaningful ways.

Now, I am asking for your help one more time. If your club has not yet donated to this year’s DC Metro VisionWalk, would you consider making a contribution to help us cross the finish line and achieve this milestone together? Donations can be made online through the District Lions team page or through any participating club team, the links are listed below. If you prefer, you can mail a check, to Lion Davida Luehrs, 11902 Winstead Lane, Reston, VA 20194. To ensure all gifts are posted before year-end, please make donations by June 20.

Team Links:

Every dollar brings hope. Every donation moves research closer. Every Lion makes a difference. Together, I know we can reach this goal.

With gratitude and appreciation,
Lion Davida Luehrs, District 24-L Sight Chair
703-819-8621
www.fightingblindness.org

January 2026 -- We are happy to share that the U.S. House of Representatives passed, with strong bipartisan support, H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which includes the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor–HHS) funding bill. The package also includes strong protections for the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) ecosystem, including the National Eye Institute (NEI), helping safeguard the U.S. research infrastructure while continuing to fuel discovery and therapeutic development.

This proposal reflects Congressional recognition of the importance of biomedical research, in particular vision research, highlighting its essentialness to public health, economic competitiveness, and global innovation leadership.

The bill provides approximately $48.7 billion for NIH in FY2026, an increase over FY2025, with no institutes eliminated or cut, including the NEI. The legislation explicitly protects negotiated indirect cost rates, preventing destabilizing changes that would undermine academic and nonprofit research capacity. Congress directs NIH to prioritize new, high-quality grants, reinforcing the pipeline from early discovery to clinical development that is critical for inherited retinal diseases and macular degeneration. The Advanced Research Project Agency for Health (ARPA-H) remains level-funded at $1.5 billion, with continued emphasis on high-risk, high-reward projects that complement NIH efforts.

While this is encouraging news, the process is not yet final. The package will move through the Senate for a vote within the next week and if it passes, then it goes to the White House for the President’s signature.

The Efficacy of Advocacy:

Thank you to our incredible community of advocates. Your voices, stories, and outreach to Congress truly matter. Because you showed up for vision research, funding for NIH and protections for the research ecosystem remain strong. Your advocacy helps keep sight-saving science moving forward.

Even in a positive funding environment, Congressional offices consistently tell us that constituent voices matter most. Continued engagement helps ensure that:
• NEI remains fully funded and independent.
• Vision research remains a national priority within NIH.
• Regulatory infrastructure at the FDA keeps pace with emerging therapies.

As congressional work continues, your voice reinforces the importance of sustained federal investment in vision research. You can help by:
• Reaching out to your Members of Congress to thank them for supporting biomedical research and urging them to maintain strong funding for NEI as the process concludes.
• Sharing your personal connection to vision loss and why federally funded research matters to you and your family.

Progress like this does not happen by chance; it happens because advocates show up consistently and speak with clarity and purpose. Thank you for your continued engagement.

Jason Menzo, CEO Foundation Fighting Blindness