For the second year in a row, three teams of Canadian researchers working to find treatments for blinding eye diseases are vying for three coveted prizes at Fighting Blindness Canada’s (FBC) Eye on the Cure awards competition, presented by FYidoctors. The competition, moderated by health journalist and former CTV News Medical Correspondent Avis Favaro, has teams going head-to-head Dragon’s Den-style in front of three judges and members of the Academy, with $100,000 up for grabs to advance vision research.
“Now more than ever, it is so important to encourage and invest in the research of tomorrow,” said Dr. Larissa Moniz, Director of Research and Mission Programs at Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC). “We are so excited to have the opportunity to spotlight and support these talented researchers as they work to develop new diagnostics and treatments for vision loss.”
Expert judges and an Academy made up of FBC’s biggest supporters will vote for the winners of the $50,000 FYidoctors Research to Watch Award. However, anyone can cast a vote for the winner of the $30,000 Heathbridge Capital People’s Choice Award with a $50 minimum donation.
This year’s researcher finalists include:
- Dr Bob Chow & Dr. Bridget Ryan, focusing on Stargardt disease
- Dr. Anna Ells & Dr. Ellen Zhou, focusing on retinopathy of prematurity
- Dr. Patrick Gooi & Dr. Abdullah Al-Ani, focusing on glaucoma
Eye on the Cure will be streamed at fightingblindness.ca/FBCeyeonthecure on November 18th at 12 p.m. EST. Voting closes November 19th at 11:59 p.m. EST. The award winners will be announced on FBC’s Facebook channel, live November 22nd at 3 p.m. EST.
“Eye on the Cure gives all Canadians a one-of-a-kind opportunity to make a real impact on the future of vision science and secure the research aspirations of these teams,” Moniz added. “It’s an opportunity to have a say in something that is life-changing.”
To watch Eye on the Cure for free or place a donation to vote, register atfightingblindness.ca/fbceyeonthecure
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About Fighting Blindness Canada:
Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) is the largest charitable funder of vision research in Canada. Over our 48-year history, FBC has contributed over $40 million in funding for the development of sight-saving treatments and cures for blinding eye diseases. Thanks to our supporters, FBC is helping drive forward research to understand why vision loss occurs, how it can be slowed, and how sight can be restored. To learn more, visit fightingblindness.ca.
About FYidoctors:
FYidoctors is Canada’s leading diversified healthcare organization. Doctor-led, professionally managed, and patient-focused, the organization concentrates on delivering outstanding eye care and medical aesthetics treatments along with patient-centric products and services. Through numerous community-centric programs and the Enhancing Life Foundation, FYidoctors enhances the lives of Canadians both inside and outside its clinic doors. For more information, please visit fyidoctors.com.