The support means CERA’s diverse research efforts, ranging from cutting edge clinical trials to lab-based exploratory work, have received a significant boost thanks to the generosity of our donors.

Our supporters banded together on our third annual Hope in Sight Giving Day, collectively contributing almost $190 000 by the end of World Sight Day.

“Seeing our community come together in such a big way to support our vital research is overwhelming,” says Professor Keith Martin, Managing Director of CERA.

“On behalf of CERA, I would like to share a big thank you to everyone who contributed – including our anonymous supporters who generously tripled the first $50 000 in individual donations we received on the day.”

Jasmine celebrates success

Jasmine Mercieca, who shared her inspiring story of living with retinitis pigmentosa in support of this year’s Hope in Sight Giving Day, says she was “blown away” by the enthusiasm of the CERA community.

“I’m so thankful this important research can continue and hopefully lead to new, breakthrough treatments for people like myself,” she says.

Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) such as retinitis pigmentosa, macular dystrophy and a range of rarer genetic conditions are the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults.

Until recently someone diagnosed with an IRD was told progressive and irreversible vision loss was inevitable.

However, recent advances in gene and cell therapy research have brought new therapies closer to clinical trial, making ongoing research more critical than ever before.

Hope in Sight

Your donations, no matter what the size, help make CERA’s ongoing work to save sight possible. Even little donations can have a big impact, especially during appeals and on Giving Day.

All funds raised support a broad range of vital work ranging from lab-based research exploring potential new treatments that make sure as many people as possible can participate in new clinical trials.

Just some examples include Dr Tom Edwards who, along with his team, is bringing a possible treatment for the rare IRD Bietti Crystalline Dystrophy close to a clinical trial.

A collaboration between CERA and the University of Melbourne collecting the information of people with an IRD, led by Associate Professor Lauren Ayton and Dr Edwards, is making sure people who could benefit from new treatments are given the opportunity to take part in research.

Their efforts include optometrist and researcher Sena Gocuk’s work to make sure female carriers IRD benefit from new therapies as they are developed.

And Professor Alex Hewitt and his collaborators are working to understand the genetic codes behind diseases such as glaucoma and age-related macular generation – which have the potential to point towards new treatments.

Every donation received increases the impact that supporters have in bringing research to life.

Collectively your generosity helps make sure achievements such as the effectiveness of new treatments and therapies are tested and ensure as many people as possible have access to the latest sight-saving treatments. Little by little, a little becomes a lot.