WHERE YOUR DONATION GOES...

HUMAN SERVICES
EDUCATION
RESEARCH
CHILDREN

RP (Retinitis Pigmentosa) International has been helping counsel and comfort the visually impaired and their families for approximately 40 years.

RPI is providing education and spreading the word regarding the millions of people who have retinal degenerative diseases like Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), Macular Degeneration and Usher's Syndrome.

Our research advisory board invites funding requests from prestigious research centers and awards the most promising. RPI has contributed over $8 million to medical research and is behind the first successful retinal transplant.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) strikes people of all ages. Unfortunately, children are the most commonly diagnosed. We are determined to stop RP within this generation.

Start your own online fundraising campaign NOW! It's Easy!

"We've found the cure... Please help fund it!" ^TM

^{CLICK HERE TO SEE YOUR GIFTS AT WORK!}

Donate $25 to enter the FREEDOM FROM BLINDNESS CAMPAIGN to win a Lasik Eye Surgery
valued at $6k. (Scroll down for details.)

Fox 11 News

Van Nuys School For The Blind Needs Your Help

Tuesday, 17 May 2011

Van Nuys - There aren't many resources for the blind in the Los Angeles area, and if the Van Nuys School for the Blind closes due to financial woes, there'll be even fewer.

FOX 11's Susan Hirasuna has the story in the video report.

If you'd like more information about the Van Nuys School for the Blind, also known as the Visually Handicapped Adults of the Valley, please check out rpinternational.org . You'll also find more information about the raffle of two $6,000 Lasik surgeries. Each $25 dollar donation qualifies as an entry for the prizes.

Story Script: WEEK TO WEEK... THAT'S HOW THE VAN NUYS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND HAS TO OPERATE NOW.

Patricia O'Conner, Student: We're just all broken hearted about this.

THE SCHOOL LOST A $75,000 GRANT FROM THE CITY AT THE END OF 2010. THAT PALTRY FIGURE BARELY PAID FOR THE TEACHERS AND TWO DAYS OF ACTIVITIES.

Patricia O'Conner, Student
You're taking away a day or two of something that is very important to us.

IF THE SCHOOL CLOSES, THERE ARE FEW ALTERNATIVES IN THE AREA FOR THOSE WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

RIGHT NOW, THE SCHOOL EXISTS ON PRIVATE DONATIONS AND HOPE... HOPE THAT A RAFFLE FOR TWO LASIK SURGERIES WILL BRING IN ENOUGH MONEY TO CARRY ON.

IF FUNDING DOES RUN OUT AND THE SCHOOL CLOSES, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THE END.

THERE'S A RATHER PUGNACIOUS WOMAN WHO LIVES HERE WHO'S BEEN THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE SCHOOL FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS.

THE SCHOOL'S PRESIDENT, HELEN HARRIS, IS AN AUTHOR, PAINTER, AND ADVOCATE FOR THE BLIND.

Helen Harris, School President
It breaks your heart when you see how much can be done with so little. It's so little money and a team full of volunteers and can change the world for so many people.

EVEN NOW, RECOVERING FROM CANCER, SHE MAKES THE CALLS SHE HOPES WILL KEEP HER SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND OPEN EVEN FOR ONE MORE WEEK.

THE SCHOOL HAS ENOUGH FUNDING FOR MAYBE ONE OR TWO MORE WEEKS.

Click link to see video segment that aired on the 10 o'clock news:

http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/local/van-nuys-school-for-the-blind-donations-20110517