13287mvr_Brochure_ForDigital_HiRes_9x12 Updated

IT IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF BLINDNESS INADULTS OVER 50. 20 MILLION PEOPLE COULDBE DIAGNOSED WITH IT BY THE YEAR 2020.WE INTEND TO CURE IT FIRST.



BI SESLEI EEVI NI NGG THE MORNING NEWSPAPER. THE FACE OF SOMEONE YOU LOVE. THE SPECIALS ON A DINER MENU AND THE BRUSH STROKES THAT MAKE UP A MONET WATER LILY. VISION IS A GIFT WE ALL DESERVE. BUT FOR MORE THAN 15 MILLION AMERICANS DIAGNOSED WITH MACULAR DEGENERATION, THE GIFT OF SIGHT IS SLOWLY FADING FROM VIEW. WE DON’T BELIEVE THAT’S ACCEPTABLE. At the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF), we believe the way to cure the disease is to invest 100% of every dollar donated into basic research on macular degeneration. We believe in applying the power of philanthropy to help us find and fund the best scientific minds in the field. And, we believe that by maintaining a single and unblinking focus on finding a cure that a cure will soon be found. We believe it because we see it. We’re seeing it in the promise of gene therapy and stem cell studies. We’re seeing it in clinical trials for new drugs our research has helped to develop. And we see it every day in the eyes of people whose hopes for clearer vision rely on the success of our efforts.

ABOUT MVRFMVRF FUNDS THEMOST PROMISINGRESEARCHSTUDIES AROUNDTHE WORLDTO FIND A CURE,GIVING MORETHAN $20 MILLIONIN GRANTS.

IT BEGAN CLOSE TO HOME.When a close family member was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Karenand Herbert Lotman began asking questions. What they found was little was known about thecauses and effects of a devastating disease that leaves millions of people around the world withlittle sight and little hope of ever restoring it.So they set out to change that, founding the Macula Vision Research Foundation in 1997.BREAKING NEW GROUND MEANS BREAKING OLD RULES.A more aggressive approach to curing macular degeneration was needed and that would demanda more progressive and innovative business model. They determined that 100% of MVRFadministrative costs would be funded directly by their private foundation, ensuring that every dollardonated would go directly to meaningful research.MVRF is an independent nonprofit 501 (C)(3) public charity, relying entirely on donations to fundthe research.COMING FACE-TO-FACE WITH AMD.They are our grandparents, our mothers and fathers, our husbands and wives. They are people weknow, love and depend on. AMD impacts people and families all over the world.Book lovers who can no longer read. Lifelong travelers who can no longer drive. And parents living infear they will pass down the gene to the next generation.With the loss of their central vision, people with AMD are no longer able to live the lives they onceenjoyed. Yet they adapt and persevere; they pray and remain hopeful.In the research we have helped to fund so far, and in the even more important work to come,our goal is to reward that hope with a cure. It may come in the discovery of a new drug, a surgicalprocedure or some combination thereof. But with your support and our direction, it will come.IT TAKES INTENSIVE RESEARCH TO FINDEXCEPTIONAL RESEARCHERS.MVRF is guided by an International Scientific Advisory Board comprised of leading retinaresearchers from around the world. We award funding only to the best of the best. And withno ties to any one institution, our research dollars are directed to the most promising ideas.

I’M SO THANKFUL FOR ANDGRATEFUL TO MVRF, AND I VOW TO SUPPORT THEM BECAUSE IFEEL THE RESEARCH THEY ARE FUNDING IS REMARKABLE. I WANT TO BE A POSTER BOY FOR MVRF. Len Rokaw Living with AMD & MVRF Donor



TTHHEE SSTCAIETNECOEFIN THE EARLY NINETIES, LITTLE WAS KNOWN ABOUT MACULARDEGENERATION AND THERE WAS LIMITED INTEREST IN SUPPORTINGRESEARCH ON AMD AND RETINAL DISEASES, DESPITE THEIR GROWINGPREVALENCE. NOW, MUCH MORE IS KNOWN, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO OURWORK. IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES HAVE BEEN MADE IN VISION RESEARCHAND OUR FUNDING IS FOCUSED ON THE MOST PROMISING FRONTIERS.THE ANATOMY OF AMDWork is being done to build our understanding of the genetic and biological structure of AMD andthe possible role of factors as abnormal lipoproteins, Muller cell mutation, oxidative stress (often aprecursor to cancer and other diseases), abnormalities of retinal pigmentation, and the degenerationof photoreceptors in the retinae.ANIMAL MODELINGThrough the study of transgenic mice, as well as simian and canine subjects, animal models of AMDare providing important insights into the origins and makeup of human retinal disease.THERAPEUTIC TRIALSStudies are currently underway to determine if increasing the intake of lutein, a nutrientconcentrated in the human macula, can slow or reverse AMD. Other promising areas of explorationinclude attempts to slow or suppress the visual cycle, which occurs inside the retina when a photon isconverted into an electrical stimulus. In 2013, the FDA approved the first retinal prosthesis to treatretinitis pigmentosa. The application of such devices for those with AMD represents an avenue ofgreat hope.GENETIC RESEARCHAn international team of researchers, funded in part by MVRF, recently identified a genetic variantthat increases risk for developing macular degeneration. This discovery linked inflammation and theimmune response to the origination of AMD. This new research, once confirmed by other investigators,could lead to new directions in the prevention and treatment of macular degeneration.

New York Stem Cell FoundationGENE THERAPYGene therapy has been an area of great promise as a therapeutic treatment for maculardegeneration. In 2008, the first clinical trials for a genetic disease known as LCA2 were startedby three groups, two of which were funded in part by MVRF. Early studies have shown that thistreatment is safe, and, in nearly all cases, resulted in the partial restoration of vision in the treatedeye. To date, the improved vision resulting from the gene therapy treatment has been sustainedwithout adverse reactions.STEM CELL RESEARCHA potential powerful approach to recover vision in individuals with vision loss from retinaldegenerative diseases is to regenerate photoreceptors and/or retinal pigment epithelial (RPE)cells. MVRF is funding a number of studies exploring the application of stem cells as a means toregenerate photoreceptor and RPE cells that are lost as a result of retinal degenerative diseases. In one current study, efforts are underway to reprogram human RPE stem cells into photoreceptorcells for transplantation. 

SINCE I STARTED CONTRIBUTING TO MVRF, I’VE GONE FROM HOPING WE WILL FIND A CURE TO KNOWING THAT WE WILL. Virginia Lucas Living with AMD & MVRF Donor





WHY US?WITH SO MANY DIFFICULT CONDITIONS FACING HUMANKIND,WE KNOW IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE JUST DECIDING WHICHMOST DESERVE YOUR TIME AND YOUR CHARITABLE GIVING.IN THAT CONTEXT IT IS WORTH NOTING THE IMPORTANTWAYS IN WHICH THE MACULA VISION RESEARCHFOUNDATION IS UNIQUE, BOTH IN METHOD AND MISSION.WE’RE ALL IN - 100% GOES TO RESEARCH.100% of our expenses are paid for by the Karen and Herbert Lotman Foundation so that 100% ofyour contribution goes directly to our mission – finding a cure.WE’RE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT.Although we have strong collaborative partnerships with industry and academia, we are fiercelyindependent, guided only by our mission and our conscience. MVRF was created to workwith – but not within – the corporate world.WE’RE THIS CLOSE TO A CURE.Our scientists believe that a cure for macular degeneration is imminent. That means that as anMVRF donor, you are not just contributing to the potential for a cure that will restore the gift ofsight to millions – you are helping to make it happen.

WB EEL' RI EEV E R STHERE’S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOPING FOR A BETTERWORLD AND BELIEVING YOU CAN CREATE ONE.Those who believe a goal is within reach are more driven to reach for it. Those who believe a goal isworth fighting for are more willing to fight for it. And those who believe a goal is in sight are morelikely to see it achieved.WHEN YOU GIVE TO MVRF, YOU WILL NOT JUST BE ADONOR. YOU WILL BECOME A BELIEVER.You will stand with us at the forefront of research that has already transformed what is known andunderstood about this disease. You will watch with us as the work we are spearheading leads to thenext generation of scientific breakthroughs. And come the day when a cure is discovered, you willwitness the power of believing with your own eyes.100% OF EVERY DOLLAR YOU DONATE TO MVRFGOES DIRECTLY TO RESEARCH TOWARDS A CURE. To learn more about becoming a donor to MVRF, please contact us at: 866.4MACULA (866.462.2852) or visit us at www.mvrf.org

A SCIENCE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN. THE MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES ALWAYS SAY, ‘PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT AN INDICATION OF FUTURE RESULTS’ BUT THAT ISN’T TRUE WITH SCIENCE. I THINK YOU CAN USE THE SUCCESSES OF MVRF IN THE PAST AS ASTRONG INDICATOR THAT IT’LL BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE FUTURE. THAT’S HOW SCIENCE WORKS. Colin Barnstable, DPhil MVRF International Scientific Advisory Board Member

One Tower Bridge 100 Front Street Suite 300W. Conshohocken, PA 19428 WWW.MVRF.ORG 866.4MACULA