Non-profit funding sight-saving research for children
Stories of Hope
Follow A Race Against Blindness research funding, inherited retinal disease developments, community stories, grant announcements, and updates from families racing toward sight-saving treatments.
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Daniel B. from Texas and Tori C. from Georgia each won a Toyota and $25,000 in our first fundraiser with the Foundation Fighting Blindness, June 2026.
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Every dollar below has been paid out to research, made possible by the generosity of our sponsors and donors. Real people making an impact on saving children's eyesight.
total research funding, fully paid out · as of October 2026
$3M awarded
To fund the preclinical development and regulatory preparation of AXV-101, a gene therapy for Bardet-Biedl Syndrome type 1 (BBS1), advancing the program toward its first human clinical trial.
$1M awarded
To support clinical development of the first-in-human trial, including trial preparation and regulatory progress following clinical trial clearance.
$2.1M awarded
To close the remaining funding gap required to launch the AXV-101 clinical trial, enabling the study to begin in early 2026; and, through a grant to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, to fund early-stage gene therapy research with Dr. Thomas Mendel and gene-agnostic therapy (NACA) aimed at slowing vision loss in RP. A matched donor brought in an additional $775,000, bringing the total impact of that grant round to $1.55M.
Daniel B. from Texas and Tori C. from Georgia each won a Toyota and $25,000 in our first fundraiser with the Foundation Fighting Blindness, June 2026.
Read moreA Race Against Blindness is a 501(c)(3) (EIN 92-2174042) that has paid out $6.1M in research grants. Here is how to verify us yourself through the IRS, Candid, ProPublica and Trustpilot in about ten minutes.
Read moreUniversity College London named Dr. Victor Hernandez, co-founder of Axovia Therapeutics, to its 200 Faces. In thanking the people behind his gene therapy for Bardet-Biedl syndrome, he singled out A Race Against Blindness.
Read moreEddie T. from Colorado won our 15-day Lexus LX 700h Overtrail fundraiser on May 31, 2026 and chose the $100,000 cash alternative. What happened next.
Read moreJim M. from Florida won Luke's Ultimate Pokémon Vault fundraiser on May 10, 2026: sealed boxes, PSA 10 cards, a Card Party trip and $5,000 cash.
Read moreSam W. from Michigan won our 10-day 2nd Chance SEMA Land Cruiser fundraiser on April 5, 2026, and took the truck. Watch the call and Winner Day.
Read moreYou could win a 2026 Entegra Esteem XL Super C, a Polaris XPEDITION ADV 5 and $100,000 cash in our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraiser, through Oct 25.
Read moreYou could win a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 170, a $125,000 Rossmönster build budget and $50,000 cash in our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraiser, through Nov 8.
Read moreOur 250 Years, 250 Winners fundraiser was one for the books! 🇺🇸 We’re sharing the full list of 250 names drawn and continuing to work through winner verification and prize fulfillment. See your name? Be sure to check your inbox and spam or junk folder for your winner notification! Original notifications were sent August 11 or 12, 2026.
Read moreStrength Looks Different is the second installment in our Father's Day Community Series, honoring fathers whose quiet resilience has shaped the lives of those around them. Through stories of perseverance, sacrifice, and unwavering love, this collection celebrates the many ways strength is found in fatherhood.
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