Retina Foundation Has Eye on $1 Million Goal for Annual Visionary Luncheon

Luncheon Chairs Steve and Barbara Durham hosted guests at their home

From left to right: Visionary Luncheon chairs, Barbara and Steve Durham; Karl Csaky, MD, PhD, chief executive and medical officer of the Retina Foundation; Amy Johnson, chief development officer of the Retina Foundation

DALLAS –The Retina Foundation of the Southwest, a world-class medical research organization committed to vision loss prevention and sight restoration, is on a mission to raise a record $1 million at its annual Visionary Luncheon scheduled for May 18. Dr. Karl Csaky, MD, PhD, the organization’s chief executive and medical officer, thanked sponsors and donors for their commitments at the May 3rd patron party hosted by Dallas philanthropists Steve and Barbara Durham at their home.

Healthcare leaders and Foundation supporters gathered at the Durham’s home to celebrate the organization’s innovative research and treatments and learn about the crucial fundraising efforts needed to help the Retina Foundation find treatments to save vision and restore sight.

“We are extremely proud of the life-changing breakthroughs and successes we’ve cultivated at the Retina Foundation, but we know more must be done to find treatments and a cure for retinal diseases that rob patients of their vision,” said Dr. Csaky. “With our community’s support, I am confident we can reach our $1 million luncheon goal to take the organization to the next level and accelerate our journey to preventing vision loss and restoring sight.”

“The Retina Foundation is the only specialized patient care and research facility in Texas for those with retinal diseases and disorders, but its impact reaches far beyond the state’s borders,” said Steve Durham, Visionary Luncheon Chair. “Patients come from around the globe to receive care at the world-class clinic right here in Dallas. Dr. Csaky and his team are committed to changing the trajectory of ocular research to preserve sight for patients with age-related macular degeneration, inherited retina diseases, and pediatric disorders like amblyopia. Barbara and I are honored to support and be involved with the organization’s mission.”

During the event, Dr. Csaky also announced the recipient of the Hunt Family Visionary Award that is given annually to individuals and organizations for their unwavering support of the Foundation’s mission to prevent vision loss and restore sight through innovative research, education, and treatment.

The Austin-based Stillwater Foundation, whose mission is to promote global well-being through high-impact philanthropy, will receive the award for funding research and patents to accelerate treatment efforts.

The Retina Foundation Visionary Luncheon will take place on May 18 at the Hilton Anatole. The featured guest speaker will be former Dallas Mayor and local businessman Tom Leppert.

Visionary Luncheon tickets are available starting at $300. Sponsorships for the Visionary Luncheon are available and include the following:

• Inventor – $100,000

• Innovator – $50,000

• Transformer – 25,000

• VIP Reception – $15,000

• Accelerator – $10,000

• Valet Sponsor – $10,000

• Explorer – $5,000

These sponsorship opportunities offer premium benefits including sponsor recognition at the luncheon and inclusion in luncheon materials.

Current sponsors include: Durham Family Foundation, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, Judy and Harold Kaye, The Nancy, and Herbert Hunt Family Foundation, Helen K. and Robert G. McGraw, Nancy, and Stephen Rogers, Jennifer and Bill Voss, Donna, and Lou Grabowsky, Laurie and Doug Dotter, Sue and Bill Hutton, Douglas and Martha Hawthorne, Lottye and Bobby Lyle, Bobbi and Richard Massman, Carol, and Patrick McEvoy |Pat and Charles McEvoy, Drs. Susanna and James Merritt, The Rosewood Corporation, Kristy and Patrick Sands, Amegy Bank, Sue, and Pryor Blackwell, Diane Boddy | Jeanne and Mickey Klein, Dr. David and Sandra Callanan, Pam and John Beckert, Eva, and Karl Csaky, Angela and Marc Klein, Oncor, Vivian and Richard Schaar, Sharif & Munir Custom Homes, Inc., Dr. Rand and Karen Spencer, Texas Retina Associates, Tia, and Antonio Tomlin, and Elaine and Brad Wolken.

For more information about the event, contact Amy Johnson ajohnson@retinafoundation.org.