Vision Walk now virtual ... but still very real
The Diuble family: Lilly (left), Scott, Angie, and Abby.
A new "virtual" event for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the Annual VisionWalk has been rescheduled and re-vamped to accommodate the current and ongoing health crisis caused by COVID-19. The Foundation Fighting Blindness has transformed all VisionWalk in-person events scheduled to take place through June 2020, into one nationwide virtual experience taking place on Saturday, June 6.
"This National Virtual VisionWalk Day is a new opportunity for communities to still come together, virtually, and celebrate the Foundation’s accomplishments of funding research leading to treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases," according to a press release from the Michigan office.
The Michigan VisionWalk is chaired by Angie Diuble and April Topel and youth chaired by Abby Diuble, Lilly Diuble, and Taylor Wesley. It was originally scheduled to be held May 16.
"We had big plans to make this the biggest walk yet," said Angie Diuble. "It is Lilly's senior year; when she was in second grade she received her probable diagnosis of Usher Syndrome, which causes blindness and deafness. Mrs. Stommen was her teacher that year and the class was the FIRST "Lilly's Friends" team back in 2010. We have been and will still be working with Mrs. Stommen’s class to include them, because we thought it appropriate to include them this year, for the big finale."
Throughout its 15-year history and through the generosity of more than 200,000 walkers, donors, and corporate sponsors, VisionWalk has raised more than $55 million. These funds have enabled the Foundation to continue advancing its important mission of moving vision-restoring treatments from the laboratory to the patients who need them. Vision science is making great strides — today more than 38 potential treatments are in clinical trials — but there is still more work to do.
The National Virtual VisionWalk Day will include participants following state and local guidelines and recommendations to go for a (socially distanced) walk outdoors, as you are able--in your park, neighborhood, back yard, or even your driveway. Participants can also complete a 5K indoors on a treadmill, exercise bike, or any other equipment you may have in your house, or complete an indoor exercise with your family. Then, post a selfie on social media, using the hashtag #VisionWalkStrong! If you don't have social media, no problem! Email your photos to KKruse@FightingBlindness.org, and they will be posted online for you!
"Together, we step closer to fighting blindness," said Kelly Kruse, Events Manager for the foundation.
Join the Diuble Family in participating in the National Virtual VisionWalk from wherever you are by registering for free online at https://give.
A past Michigan VisionWalk, held in Milford. The Diuble family has been participating in VisionWalk since 2010.
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