Endowment fund for FFB

From the Foundation Fighting Blindness

TORONTO, ON - The Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) has announced its first-ever endowment fund for vision research, thanks to the generosity of Arthur and Sonia Labatt.

The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Endowment in the amount of $1,000,000 will bring new financial stability to meet vision research needs over the long-term. The principal of the Endownment will be held in perpetuity and invested. The Endowment earnings will be used primarily to support research in childhood blindness.

“Arthur and I have put a lot of thought into a focus for our donations and have the three criteria of education, health and research,” said Sonia Labatt. “Obviously the FFB fulfills all these categories.”

On the personal side, Mrs. Labatt has had some eye problems (a hole in the macula) and has experienced first-hand the anxiety that accompanies visual impairment and sight loss. When she was introduced to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, she was immediately receptive to its cause.

“The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Endowment couldn’t have come at a more exciting time, as researchers’ discoveries move from the laboratory to human trials,” said Sharon Colle, national executive director. “The Labatts' commitment to funding vision research means children and future generations will benefit from treatments and cures.”

The Foundation Fighting Blindness is the only organization in Canada whose sole mandate is to fund Canadian vision research. It is responsible for groundbreaking eye research being conducted in teaching hospitals and universities across the country. Its mandate is to support Canadian research directed at discovering causes, treatments and ultimately cures for eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration and related retinal diseases.