Non-profit funding sight-saving research for children
Our goal is to advance therapies for pediatric inherited retinal diseases. Our current target: we are fundraising for rare disease research and gene-agnostic therapies for childhood blindness.
You can make an impact on saving childhood eyesight by entering our giveaway fundraisers.
Enter for your chance to Build Your Own Adventure Van: We already built out the outside of a 170" WB AWD Sprinter, and you get an extra $125,000 custom build budget to use with Rossmönster Vans, plus $50,000 cash! Alternatively, the winner may select a $150,000 cash-only option.
LEARN MOREEnter for your chance to win the Ultimate Adventure Package: a 2026 Entegra Esteem XL Super C motorhome + 2026 Polaris trailer + $100,000 cash! Every entry helps support A Race Against Blindness and the search for cures to blindness!
VIEW DETAILSHow our fundraisers work
Learn how you can make an impact on sight-saving research and have a chance to win a life-changing prize.
Our impact
$6.1M
granted to sight-saving research as of October 2026, from giveaway fundraisers and direct donations. Every mile below was paid for by entries like yours.
To Axovia Therapeutics, to move a gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa caused by BBS1 toward a clinical trial.
Oct 2024Second Axovia grant: GLP toxicology, manufacturing, and the regulatory work needed before a trial could open.
Dec 2024Third Axovia grant, bringing AXV-101 funding to $4M; the UK trial application was cleared in Q3 2025.
Sep 2025Closed the remaining funding gap; RAB's total funding for AXV-101 reaches $5.1M, from lab to first patient.
Jan 2026With Foundation Fighting Blindness: $775,000 to the RD Fund for gene-agnostic research, matched dollar-for-dollar by the Gund Foundation Challenge, and $225,000 to Dr. Thomas Mendel at Ohio State.
Jun 2026Researchers worldwide can now apply for RAB funding through the Grants Portal.
Aug 2026Amounts and dates come from our grant records and update when a new grant is announced. Each grant links to its announcement where available.
About us
It isn't a race we run. It's a race against time. Kristina and Stephen Johnston founded A Race Against Blindness after their son Luke was diagnosed with Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a rare genetic condition that is slowly taking his sight. What began as a race to fund one gene therapy for one gene has grown into funding research across inherited retinal diseases, a grants program for scientists, and an education hub for families.
No treatment existed for RP caused by BBS1. We decided to fund one.
Our family became the first donor, donating our first prize: the 2023 Adventure Van giveaway fundraiser that started it all.
To Axovia Therapeutics for AXV-101, a gene therapy for RP caused by BBS1.
A total of $5.1M in grant support from RAB made this trial initiation possible.
New $1M grant to gene-agnostic clinical research in partnership with Foundation Fighting Blindness.
Luke’s story of seeing the world before losing more vision was featured on GMA, helping propel our mission to the national level.
Winner's circle
Every review you see here is collected and verified by Trustpilot, not by us. We can't edit them, hide them, or pick the order.
We show every star rating, one through five, because that's what transparency means.
I submitted a self addressed stamped envelope to be notified of winner and never heard from the company. I believe this is not a legitimate organization. One prize they said was awarded showed up on another site.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Steve C)
I’m passionate about this cause! Steve does a great job running the non profit. I will continue to support as it is close to me heart. ♥️♥️♥️
Read on Trustpilot (review by Yolanda Milsap)As a retired registered nurse, a diabetic, and a previous Lions Club Diabetes awareness chairman I understand the need to fund research to prevent blindness. Just keep doing what you are doing to prevent blindness and hopefully someone can be saved from a life of not seeing the beauty of this world.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Leslie)I believe that you are sincere and honest. I pray that God who gave sight to the blind is still a miracle working God.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Mark Eibel)Happy to know that all contributions are going to a good cause. Win or lose still a good cause to donate too
Read on Trustpilot (review by Michelangelo Ferrufino)Great cause! Bonus if we win!
Read on Trustpilot (review by D.Vick)Knowing that my Money went to a great cause and will Continously do so
Read on Trustpilot (review by Paige Platt)Seems like some cool raffles and a cool charity.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Customer)Such an admirable cause and a truly inspiring journey. As a dad myself, I have immense respect for the love, strength, and determination behind A Race Against Blindness. From one dad to another, your dedication is nothing short of inspiring. Thank you for reminding us how powerful a father’s love can be and for making a difference in the lives of so many. Wishing you continued strength and success!
Read on Trustpilot (review by Rizan Afeef)The authenticity of this organization jumping ahead to break down the barriers of blindness; this caught my attention. Its the realization that loss of vision is something so many often take for granted will never experience. When loved ones experience such loss at birth or as a young child, its the research and data and interventions that continue to open doors to families to know there is hope.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Diana Gradine)This organization makes it very compelling to want to enter the raffle and super easy to do it. Thank you!
Read on Trustpilot (review by Joan OttleyZeeman)Thanks for all the Wonderful opportunities 😊
Read on Trustpilot (review by Gregory Keller)So easy! And so worth while. Of course I'd love to win, but it's for a great cause!
Read on Trustpilot (review by Barbara Bouey)Grateful to be a small part of your amazing journey!
Read on Trustpilot (review by Chris Galligan)Very easy to contribute and pretty exciting to know someone will win a great price .
Read on Trustpilot (review by Charles Bunten)God bless your son and all you do to help find a cure💕🙏🏼
Read on Trustpilot (review by Debi Puga)Great fundraiser in support of childhood blindness. I chose to support this effort in hopes of helping children suffering from sight loss or preventing such from ever happening.
Read on Trustpilot (review by BJ)Great cause
Read on Trustpilot (review by Chris Cavender)I would support you guys even with out entering the contest. Because its a do needed cause.And you guys sre Amazing!!! Thanks
Read on Trustpilot (review by Kathy Walker)I watch the live stream. They are reputable and compassionate
Read on Trustpilot (review by James Sandoval)Always happy to give for a great cause
Read on Trustpilot (review by Teresa Ozanich)Great Charity
Read on Trustpilot (review by Freddie Welch)Professional website with a purpose. Clean and transparent process to help kids in need.
Read on Trustpilot (review by MRA)It felt good to be able to donate for a worthy cause. Hopefully more people will as well.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Maria Vick)Reviews come from real donors and supporters who entered a fundraiser or had a direct interaction with our team, each one verified by Trustpilot.
Read all reviews on TrustpilotGrant funding updates
Blindness Education Resources
As a family-run nonprofit and parents of a child facing blindness, we know how it felt when we got the diagnosis and didn't know where to begin. The resources were limited, and we felt alone. This education hub is here to help change that.
Open the Education Hub
RAB educational series
Blindness Education Podcasts with Co-Founder Dr. Steve Johnston
An introduction to the free clinical trial hub for inherited retinal diseases.
Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
An overview of vision loss treatment topics, including gene therapy and optogenetics.
Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
A look at how viral vectors deliver missing genes in retinal gene therapy.
Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)For information only. Discuss clinical trial information with your retina specialist.
We founded the nonprofit when we found out our son has a rare genetic condition and is slowly going blind. But that really only scratches the surface in terms of our motivation. Since learning of Luke's diagnosis, we have become strongly connected to the rare-diseases community. While rare diseases are actually not unusual, with more than 7,000 diseases classified as rare, each one individually often affects only a small number of people. Thus many rare diseases don't receive enough attention and resources to help fund research for adequate treatments or even possible cures.
New fundraisers, winners, and grant news, about twice a month. Questions? The Help Center is our front door.
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