Far-sighted fundraiser – Comic Vision: November 2, 2018

Blind Paralympian swimmer Donovan Tildsley and ophthalmologist Dr. Briar Sexton help raise funds for sight-saving research.

 

 

Far-sighted fundraiser

Twenty years since she learned her five-year-old son Gavin was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa — a degenerative disease that strikes children and young adults resulting in a progressive and narrowing tunnel vision that can lead to blindness — Ann Morisoncontinues her crusade to raise money for sight-saving research.

In 2001, with the help of a friend who happened to be a comedian and family members, Comic Vision was born.

The comedy fundraiser flourished and became a national effort with similar events taking place in cities across the country, from Toronto and Montreal, to Calgary and Vancouver.

With every stop over the past two decades, Morrison has been there to share her story and raise funds for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Today, she is the firm’s chief fundraiser. Vancouver would be the final stop of Comic Vision’s 2018 cross-country tour.

Yours truly served as master of ceremonies while Mayce Galoni and Juno Award-winning funny man Ivan Decker headlined the night of laughs.

Before the comedians hit the Imperial Lounge stage, Morrison and Vancouver party chair RobSimmons thanked attendees who packed the room to help. They would pour over one-of-a-kind auction items and lavish the foundation with donations, resulting in more than $110,000 raised, toppling last year’s record haul.

Proceeds from the night will help bring scientists closer to finding treatments to restore sight to one million Canadians currently living with retinal eye diseases, a delighted Morrison shared.

Since its inception, Comic Vision has raised $9.5 million for groundbreaking vision research at hospitals and universities nationwide.

Father Rob Simmons and his son Duncan spoke of living with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a hereditary and degenerative disease that strikes children and young adults resulting in a progressive and narrowing tunnel vision that may lead to blindness.

 

Article website https://theprovince.com/opinion/columnists/fred-lees-social-network-big-night-for-miracles-comics-journalists