Declan Meenagh, Advocacy Officer, Fighting Blindness: V.I.P. Network

40 years of research with people at the heart, will you write the next chapter with us?

From the start of Fighting Blindness it was not just about research. It was about answering questions people losing sight had. What caused the condition and was there any treatment. People with the condition were at the heart of what we do.

Working together we found the first gene causing an eye condition
Together we spent 20 million euro on research prioritized by our community.
Now we are on the cusp of approval for the first treatment for an inherited retinal condition.

Our pioneering idea that the public and patients need to not only feed into but be a part of research is a basic requirement for all research projects called PPI, Public and Patient Involvement. Will you write the next chapter of our research journey with us?

You do not need to be an expert in science, you are already an expert in your own condition. Working in partnership with scientists you have a truly valuable contribution to make.

Fighting Blindness has set up the VIP network where you will be invited to take part in projects such as sharing your experience of living with your condition, drafting documentation of research so everyone can understand it and deciding what types of research gets prioritised.

Joining is free and you do not have to commit to any projects right away, you will be sent offers of projects you may want to take part in.

So will you help us to write the next chapter of research?