Cocktail Fundraiser Will Support Retinal Blindness Research

A fundraiser later this month will raise money to cure retinal blindness, a disease that is affecting the eyesight—and lives—of two local boys. 

Cocktails for the Cure, which will be held April 26 at The Temperance House, will serve as the fundraising kickoff for Bike the Basin, an event held annually by the Curing Retinal Blindness Foundation.

The Foundation was started by Northampton Township residents Mike and Kristen Smedley, whose two sons suffer from the rare genetic disease. “We are raising funds to get multiple treatment options researched with a goal of clinical trials in less than five years,” Kristen said.

The Smedleys have connected with 20 other families to raise money for research, and the Bike the Basin event, held annually in Northampton Township, is the Foundation's most lucritive fundraiser to date. 

The third annual Bike the Basin event is scheduled for Sept. 29.

“We have rasied over $60,000 with this event in its first two years, but now we have a goal to raise over $100,000 this year alone,” Smedley said.

Cocktails for the Cure kicks off the fundraising for Bike the Basin, Kristen explained. During the cocktail event, there will be Bike the Basin sponsorship information, a silent auction and a pledge-a-thon via social media.

“Our sons, Michael and Mitchell, have the CRB1 gene of Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis. LCA is the most severe form of degenerative retinal disease,” a family bio reads. 

Because of the disease the cells of the retina die every day until there are no more working cells to send messages from the eyes to the brain. “Both of the boys were born with less than 10 percent of the vision of a typically sighted person and they are likely to be in complete darkness by their late teens/early twenties. Michael just turned 13…the clock is ticking,” the bio reads.

“Our boys are remarkable young guys and rarely let blindness stop them from chasing their dreams. But even with the best adaptations and efforts, many of their dreams are fading as their vision fades.”

Cocktails for the Cure will feature a disc jockey, beer, wine, light refreshments, door prizes and more. Tickets are $50 per person if purchased by April 15; $60 after that date.

To purchase tickets online or for more information, visit www.bikethebasin.org.