Vision of Children Foundation Launches Cause Marketing Partnership Enabling Optometrists to Invest in Vision Research
The Vision of Children (VOC) Foundation, which is dedicated to giving sight to children who suffer from genetic vision disorders and blindness, has created a way for optometrists to make an impact on the lives of people tomorrow in addition taking care of their vision needs today.
For the past 25 years, The San Diego-based non-profit has been at the forefront of unlocking the secrets to cures for hereditary blindness and vision disorders. It recently unveiled an innovative new cause marketing program to increase the collaboration and involvement between Optometric practices and VOC while developing a fundraising source for vision research. The Vision Hero Network Optometric Partner Program is designed to create a lasting relationship between Optometrists and VOC.
Optometrists can either make an annual contribution to VOC or agree to donate a portion of every retinal imaging procedure, or other type of service. In addition to helping fund research, participating in the program can increase Optometrists’ social responsibility profile, patient loyalty and satisfaction, and financial results, through cause marketing.
The Vision of Children Foundation is closer than ever to finding a cure for Ocular Albinism (OA), its first genetic eye disease target. Critical funds are needed to complete the mission of eradicating OA forever. Once this is complete, the process architecture can be used as a template to discover cures for a variety of genetic vision disorders, including Oculocutaneous Albinism and retinal degenerations.
“Our researchers have made extraordinary progress,” said Samuel A. Hardage, VOC Board Chairman. “Among many breakthroughs, they have isolated genetic mutations for eye diseases and developed genetic tests. Now, we are funding research focusing on remedies using induced adult stem cell therapy, genetic reprograming and medication trials.” Hardage, a San Diego businessman, co-founded the organization with his wife Vivian after their son was born with OA type 1. He added that research funded by VOC has broad implications for hundreds of genetic eye disorders.
“I am honored to be an Optometrist Partner with The Vision of Children Foundation,” said Stephen J. Moffett, OD, APC, who has two offices in San Diego, CA. “My patients are thrilled to know that a percentage of their retinal imaging fee is being invested in cures for children’s genetic blindness and vision disorders. I sincerely hope that my colleagues across the country will embrace this program. Imagine the powerful message optometrists can send by investing in cures for tomorrow, in addition to providing families with clear vision today."
Optometrists across the country are invited to join the Vision Hero Network Optometric Partner Program through the Foundation’s website, www.visionofchildren.org, or by calling VOC at 858-314- 7916.