SupportSight Chicago, Illinois

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Next Meeting: To be dermined

View 2007-2008 Meeting Schedule

Previous Seminars:

Small Group Meetings:

Meeting Schedule

Chicago (Loop) (all meetings 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM)
Location:
Blind Service Association
17 North State Street
Chicago, IL 60602
Dates:

Flossmoor (all meetings from 10 AM to noon)
Location:
Flossmoor Public Library
1000 Sterling Avenue
Flossmoor, IL 60422
Dates:

Northbrook (all meetings from 10 AM to noon)
Location:
Bernard Weinger Jewish Community Center
300 Revere Drive
Northbrook, IL 60062
Dates:

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Previous Seminars:

June 17, 2006
The Community House in Hinsdale was crowded on June 17, 2006, when a large group turned out for a free seminar on macular degeneration. Sponsored by Illinois Retina Associates in conjunction with the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF), the meeting was free and open to the public.

Part of a series of presentations the two groups have sponsored, the agenda for this meeting started with Dr. Joseph M. Civantos discussing macular degeneration with an overview of exactly what it is and what it means. Dr. John S. Pollack talked about the newest treatments and research into the condition.

Dr. Civantos took the stage again to talk about the use of vitamin therapy in the treatment of macular degeneration. Mary Scully, manager of senior services at the Blind Service Association, then addressed the group about her own experiences living with macular degeneration. Ms. Scully is also the leader of the support group held monthly at the Blind Service Association in the Loop.

The final speaker was Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director of MVRF. Ms. Bramnick explained that the mission of MVRF is to fund research into the cause, prevention, treatment, and ultimately the cure for macular degeneration is aided by the fact that one hundred percent of all dollars raised go toward this goal, as the organization is entirely underwritten for all administrative expenses.

In addition to the support group led by Mary Scully, another support group meets in Northbrook at Forty One North Restaurant led by Art Krause. Call 1-866-462-2852 for more information on both groups.

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October 15, 2005
The third meeting of the Chicago SupportSight group sponsored by Illinois Retina Associates, S.C. and the MVRF attracted a lively audience of more than 100 people, many who had been to the first sessions of the series as well as newcomers. Held on October 15, Timothy Flood, M.D., presented a basic overview of macular degeneration, providing valuable background about the disease that is the leading cause of vision loss among people over the age of 50.

Pauline Merrill, M.D., talked about the role that vitamin therapy plays in the treatment of macular degeneration, followed by a discussion by Matthew MacCumber, M.D., Ph.D., who reviewed the newest research and treatments available. Since there is currently no cure for macular degeneration, the audience of laypeople, patients and caregivers responded enthusiastically to a presentation of the latest research and ongoing clinical trials.

Two patients talked about their personal experiences living with macular degeneration. Art Krause was able to relate his knowledge of the support services available to people living in the Chicago area, and his talk was inspiring. Mary Betty Roeder also spoke frankly and from her heart, and her positive attitude and humorous approach to dealing with her disease moved everyone in the audience.

Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director of the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF), the group that sponsored the seminar series, talked about the organization’s unique mission and operations. Dedicated to research for finding a cure for this disease and along the way, providing access to services that help people to cope with macular degeneration, the Foundation is unique in that 100 percent of every single dollar raised goes directly to research. All of the administrative costs of the Foundation are privately underwritten. Based outside of Philadelphia, MVRF conducts seminar series in 23 cities around the country.

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May 6, 2005
On May 6, Illinois Retina Associates and the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) partnered to present a seminar on services for visually impaired people. The seminar, held at the Crown Village 18 Theatres, was well-attended by more than 150 people.

Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director of MVRF, started off the meeting by welcoming the audience and providing an overview of the unique organization, headquartered outside of Philadelphia, PA. The group raises funds to provide dollars for critical research, and one hundred percent of each dollar raised goes directly toward this goal, as all administrative expenses are underwritten.

Following Ms. Bramnick, Matthew W. MacCumber, M.D., Ph.D., Illinois Retina Associates, spoke about the latest research and clinical trials for the prevention of and treatment for macular degeneration. Along with Dr. MacCumber, Illinois Retina Associates’ Timothy P. Flood, M.D., and Jack A. Cohen, M.D., were also available to answer the questions from the eager audience.

After that lively discussion, R. Tracy Williams, O.D., gave an informative presentation about low vision services in the community. Dr. Williams represented the Deicke Center for Visual Rehabilitation, an organization that helps people cope with vision loss by providing practical solutions. Dr. Williams also discussed adaptive aides for low vision patients.

Finally, two patients with macular degeneration provided personal accounts of how their lives are affected by their disease. Both Arthur Krause and John Sachs earned the respect and admiration of their peers with their insightful and interesting presentations.

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First Meeting of the MVRF SupportSight of Chicago

September 13, 2003
Illinois Retina Associates, The Retina Center and the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) conducted SupportSight, the first-ever national series of support group seminars for patients suffering from macular degeneration and their families in the Chicago area on September 13. The event was attended by more than 400 people and was held in the Marcus Theater in Orland Park.

Program
Serge de Bustros, M.D., Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center and also of Chicago's Illinois Retina Associates discussed:

David Orth, M.D. Professor of Ophthalmology at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center and also of Chicago’s Illinois Retina Associates at discussed:

Alexander J. Brucker, M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania Scheie Eye Institute discussed:

Mary Betty Roeder, an 81 year-old legally blind macular degeneration patient from West Chester, Pennsylvania discussed:

Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director, Macula Vision Research Foundation discussed the Foundation and its history and commitment to research and support for those with macular degeneration.

A lively and informative question and answer session followed each speaker’s presentation.

Age-related Macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in American adults over 60, but the nearly 15 million people affected are often reluctant to discuss their condition or ask for help. There is a great need to raise awareness about macular degeneration - to bring this condition to the public eye.

Support Group Research
Healthcare research has shown that support groups can be very helpful to people who suffer from diseases such as macular degeneration. " Seminars like SupportSight provide an opportunity for people with similar concerns and problems to share solutions and suggestions. There is no better coping mechanism than enlisting the support of others in the same situation,” said David Orth, M.D., F.A.C.S., Professor of Ophthalmology, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration causes deterioration of the macula, resulting in the loss of sharp central vision. An impaired macula prevents a person from clearly seeing objects straight ahead, such as words on a page, television, or the faces of loved ones. At its worst, sufferers of macular degeneration have only limited peripheral vision.

Currently, there is no cure, but there are treatments available and more in development that work to halt the progression of the disease. “A lot of resources are being funneled into various aspects of macular degeneration and positive results are benefiting patients and their families,” said Serge de Bustros, M.D., Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Macula Vision Research Foundation
The Macula Vision Research Foundation gives 100 percent of every dollar raised to research and public education programs, as the administrative costs of the Foundation are underwritten. It has been estimated that with seven adults turning 50 every minute, macular degeneration may become the disease of the 21st century — by 2025, more than 23 million adults are expected to be diagnosed. Although there is no known cure, recent progress in research provides great hope for future discoveries into the cause, prevention, treatment, and ultimately the cure for macular degeneration.

"I was shocked at how little people knew about this issue, which is becoming an epidemic with the growth of the aging population," said Herbert Lotman, Founder, Macula Vision Research Foundation. "This organization was founded to find the cure for this disease and to save the sight of the millions affected. This can and will be done, but only through fundraising support for critical research, some of which is discussed at these seminars. We are also aware of the great need for support for patients with macular degeneration and their families."

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Chicago, Small Group Meetings

October/November 2007
In October, the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) and the Illinois Retina Associates teamed up to conduct a series of small group support meetings in the Chicago area. These sessions, created for people with or people seeking to learn more about macular degeneration, provided an excellent opportunity for area residents to share information, coping methods and resources with each other.

This two-hour session was focused on the general health aspect of macular degeneration and what can be done to slow the progression of the disease. The feature presentation at each meeting, “Be Health Wise – Helping To Prevent AMD and/or Slow Its Progression” was presented by Stuart Richer, O.D., Ph.D.

Richer reviewed the latest information about how to maintain a lifestyle that promotes not just eye health, but general health as well. He shared the latest research information about preventing macular degeneration and slowing the disease in those that have it. The session closed with a Q&A on the presentation and addressed general macular degeneration questions as well.

Throughout the month, these sessions were held all over the greater Chicago region in the downtown area, Southside Chicago and Northbrook neighborhoods.

In November, the small group support series continued with a split-focus session on being “eye wise” with peripheral vision and adjusting to sight when it isn’t like it used to be.

“Be Eye Wise – Using Your Peripheral Vision” and “Hindsight – Seeing But Not Like You Used To” were both presented by Ken Malsch, A.B.O.C. and John Coalter, O.D. This session helped participants focus on maximizing their sight abilities in order to maintain a safe and healthy lifestyle.

Participants were encouraged to share their personal experiences in the course of both presentations, as history has shown us that shared experiences often lead to greater collective learning.

Mr. Malsch lead the small group session in Southside Chicago, while Mr. Coalter led the sessions in downtown Chicago and Northbrook.

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Contact

Would you like to volunteer?
Do you need more information?

SupportSight

Macula Vision Research Foundation SupportSight
Five Tower Bridge
300 Barr Harbor Drive, Suite 600
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2984

Please call Lea Bramnick
Toll free 1-866-462-2852
1-866-4-macula
Email: lea@mvrf.org
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