Fairfield County Resident Named Foundation Fighting Blindness National Trustee

COLUMBIA, Md., Dec. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a nonprofit dedicated  to finding preventions, treatments and cures for vision-robbing retinal degenerative diseases, has appointed Gary Katcher of Greenwich, CT as a National Trustee of the organization. The new role recognizes his ongoing support of FFB's urgent mission to drive cutting-edge research to help the more than 10 million Americans affected by retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases.

"Gary Katcher's dedication to raising awareness and funds helps fuel our pursuit of vision-saving treatments and cures," said Bill Schmidt, CEO, Foundation Fighting Blindness. "We're very appreciative of his efforts and thrilled to welcome him to this special group of Foundation Fighting Blindness leaders whose ongoing passion to advance retinal degenerative disease research is integral to our success."

Gary became an active member of the Foundation Fighting Blindness in 2012 and had a significant impact on the success of the Foundation's 2012 and 2013 Dining in the Dark Fashion Ball fundraising events at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. "I'm very privileged and honored to have been given this distinction and look forward to raising more awareness about this very important cause. It is something that impacts the lives of millions of people and is also very personal to me," said Mr. Katcher. Gary's brother, Mitch, has retinitis pigmentosa, one of the degenerative retinal diseases for which the Foundation Fighting Blindness is working to find a cure.  

Gary is Co-Founder and Chairman of GRK Partners LP, a Hedge Fund in Greenwich, CT.  Prior to his current position, Gary was Executive Vice President and Head of Global Institutional Fixed Income at Knight Capital Group. Before getting involved in the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Gary actively participated in other philanthropic endeavors, including the founding and leadership of CURE, where he helped raise over $5 million in support of both the Spinal Cord Injury Project at Rutgers University and the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. 

About Foundation Fighting Blindness

The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a national non-profit organization driving the research that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases that affect more than 10 million Americans. Since 1971, the Foundation has raised nearly $550 million as the leading non-governmental funder of inherited retinal research. Breakthrough Foundation-funded studies using gene therapy have restored significant vision in children and young adults who were previously blind, paving the way for additional clinical trials to treat a variety of retinal degenerative diseases. With a coveted four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the Foundation also has nearly 50 chapters that provide support, information and resources to affected individuals and their families in communities across the country.

Media Contact:

Jessica Blasco, Foundation Fighting Blindness, 410-423-0619, [email protected]

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SOURCE Foundation Fighting Blindness