The week of the 21-29th
September 2001 saw a flurry of activity around South Africa. The week started
with the National Congress, which was held between the 21-23rd September at
Eskom Convention Centre, Midrand. Dr
Jerry Chader, Chief
Scientific Officer of the American Foundation Fighting Blindness, was
the key note speaker and his talks to both the plenary and scientific sessions
encouraged and enlightened all who heard him speak. Jerry has the ability to
translate complex scientific information into plain and understandable
language. His description of the
successful gene therapy trials in the LCA dog captivated us all and Lancelot is
now a household word in Retina South Africa.
Local ophthalmologists,
geneticists, optometrists and experts in the field of rehabilitation gave talks
or participated in group sessions.
Attendance was however very disappointing but all those who attended
found it a very motivating and enjoyable weekend. Dr Gwen Ramakgopa M.E.C. for Health, opened the congress and our
own National President, Bruce Fordyce gave a sparkling pre-dinner talk on the
Saturday night. The new name Retina South Africa was officially launched at the
Saturday night function. Pazzaz and Thesele
entertained us admirably with humour, dancing and a moving, Nkosi Sikelela
i-Africa finale was performed by Thesele.
Some quotes from attendees: “This past
week has been the most wonderful that I have experienced in a long time” Lecia
Bartman, Genetics Sister, UCT Department of Human Genetics.
For a copy of Lecia’s excellent report
on the congress, contact Retina South Africa.
“I found the day to be exceptionally informative and well
organised. It is good to know that in
the not-too-distant future I may be able to offer my patients the option of
restored vision and not just simple vision rehabilitation” Joanne Kalil
(Optometrist, Durban). We are indebted to AMD Alliance International and Eskom
for their financial support of the congress.
PUBLIC
AWARENESS Grey International designed our
stunning new logo and also produced a new TV and Radio ad. Grey has done this FREE OF CHARGE as
a contribution to Retina South Africa and we gratefully acknowledge their
wonderful vision. Our TV ad was also
flighted FREE OF CHARGE by SABC and E-TV. M Net will start flighting
this month. National Secretary, Claudette Medefindt was interviewed on
“Pathways to Health” by the SABC’s, Monica Fairrall. The response was so overwhelming that the interview was
re-broadcasted on the Women Today programme and more than a hundred calls to
our 0860 59 59 59 share call Hot Line were recorded.
Arkay
Communications helped us with print and radio releases and this was also done FREE
OF CHARGE. To all our media partners, Grey, M-Net, Arkay Communications,
E-TV, SABC, magazines, press and radio stations, a very big THANK YOU for
helping us publicise Retina South Africa and World Retina Week.
All
7 branches also pulled out all the stops to create imaginative and innovative
events to create awareness of World Retina Week. Some highlights of these
events are:
BLOEMFONTEIN The Sanlam Art Competition saw 421 entries in their first
competition. The final judging and
prize giving was held at the Mimosa Mall and we thank Sanlam for the generous
R3 750 sponsorship for prize money.
CAPE
COASTAL & COUNTRY A very successful Sanlam Art Competition was held in the Hermanus
district. The Standard of the work was
excellent. Blue genes patches were sold
and people in the centre wearing blue jeans on World Retina Day, September 29th,
were “fined” R2, by being given a ‘blue genes” patch and their names were
entered for a lucky draw for prizes.
CAPE TOWN Alvon Collison, was one of the celebrities that
participated in the Pick & Pay Trolley Dash on World Retina Day at
Constantia Village. All the celebrities
wore RP or Macular simulators; they were then all given a list of specific
items to find. This was a fun way to
make the shoppers aware of Retinal Degeneration and how it impacts on everyday activities. The
Cape branch gave radio interviews on 3 radio stations Cape Talk, Voice of the
Cape and Tygerberg Radio. A successful
blue genes campaign netted R7 500 from collectors.
GAUTENG The 3rd Pick & Pay Family 32km Run for Sight finished World Retina
Week in style in Benoni. 800 runners
participated, and R20 000 was raised.
The 5km walk is gaining popularity and thanks to Simply You Studio for
supporting the walk. Thanks to sponsors Pick
& Pay Family Stores, Farrarmere, Oakfields and Towers for their ongoing
support of the event.
Blue
jeans civvies day was held at St. Francis College. A collection was held at Eastgate and the awareness table at
Southgate attracted many interested people.
Talks were given to: Final year students at Rand Afrikaans University
and Optometrists at the continuing education programme at RAU and Red Cross.
PORT
ELIZABETH Gail Cillie
and her small band of helpers once again excelled in Public Awareness and fund
raising campaigns. Their Trolley Dash
at Pick & Pay, Walmer Park featured celebrities Shirley Shearman, Vanessa
Greber, Kwakho Qondqa and Dr John Benade.
Radio Algoa DJ, Gordon Graham was the eventual winner. Their Sanlam Art
competition attracted 312 entries and was an excellent way of creating
awareness of Retinal Degeneration in young people.
Their
5th annual Vodacom Celebrity Golf Classic was held on 18th October and Shoprite
Checkers was a co-sponsor of the event.
28 celebrities were auctioned off to local corporations and Retina South Africa shared the amazing
R90 000 proceeds with the other participating charity—Algoa Council for the
Aged. Bruce Fordyce was joined by Lara (Big Brother), for an impromptu duet at
the prize-giving function. Port
Elizabeth sold the most blue genes patches raising a record of R5 764 00,
Congratulations!!
STOP
PRESS!!!!! The annual PE street collection was
held on October 27th and an amazing R10 000 was collected. Congratulations to
the 170 collectors who collected at 43 outlets throughout the city.
NORTH GAUTENG The
Pretoria Art Competition saw a new sponsor, SAGE and although this was the
first time in Pretoria, the competition attracted 400 entries. The finalists work was displayed at the
National Congress and the quality and diversity of the work was
commendable. The Christian Bikers Club
supported World Retina Day by displaying 20 Harley Davidson Motor Bikes in
Centurion. Blue genes patches were sold
to the Pretoria Eye Institute, Pretoria University, Hospitals, schools and businesses. A successful Golf Day was held on 17 August
2001 and R10.000 was raised. The branch
gave interviews on Radio Punt, Radio Ripple and Radio Sonder Grense and due to
these broadcasts the branch has had 30 new members joining.
DURBAN Cathy Stevens and Mark
Harrison gave a talk on Radio Lotus.
World Retina posters and pamphlets were distributed by the KZN Library
services. Blue genes patches were
successfully marketed to ABSA Banks, Durban Metro and various companies. A
total of 1200 patches were sold to net over R3000. The patches main aim was to create an awareness of Retinal
Degeneration, but the R2 that is brought in from each patch sold, goes towards
our Research Project at UCT.
SCIENTIFIC NEWS
GENE THERAPY SUCCESS The news of the successful gene therapy on a dog model of LCA is very
exciting. LCA (Lebers Congenital
Amaurosis) also occurs in humans and leads to early childhood blindness.
Financial Constraints will determine
how soon this success will be transferred to human therapy trials. LCA now — STARGARDT Dystrophy next??
AREDS STUDY FINDINGS PUBLISHED A six year study into the effect of anti-oxidant and zinc on Age Related
Macular Degeneration was published in the October issue of the Archives of
Ophthalmology. The study was conducted on 3600 patients between 55 and 80 years
old with Dry AMD. The study showed that
patients taking a daily dose of Vitamin C 500mg, Beta Carotene 15mg, zinc 80mg
and Vitamin E 400 IU had a 20% chance of
developing
the more severe wet form of AMD. By comparison patients on a placebo pill lacking
any nutrients had a 28% chance of developing wet AMD over a 5 year period. Lutein and Zeaxathin are thought to protect
the macular from oxidative stress due to light exposure but were not available
at the start of the study. Future
clinical trials are needed to evaluate these antioxidants that occur naturally
in the macular area.
CHRISTMAS CARDS These are available from the National Office, designs include, Assorted Cards (R5), Choir Boys (R4.50), Santa with a Train Set (R4.50), Nativity Scene (R5.50), Children with a Sleigh (R6) and Butterflies (R5) per pack of 5 cards. Please deposit the money into Retinal Preservation Foundation, Standard Bank, Branch: Isando, Account number: 020133820, Branch Code: 2542 and then fax your deposit slip along with your order to 011 622 6277.
T-SHIRTS M, L, XL or XXL with our
attractive new logo are available to order at R30 each. Help create logo awareness, order your
T-shirt from Sandy at the National Office on Tel 011 622-4904 or fax 011
622-6277.
IN MEMORIUM John Mansfield, founder
member of the RP movement in South Africa died in August after a long
illness. John served as chairman of the
Cape of Good Hope branch on many occasions and was a wise and dedicated
committee member for most of the past 22 years. He and Margaret always gave unselfishly of their time, their
energy and their gracious hospitality.
An annual award in his name will be given to a person for service to the
Cape branch. Margaret presented the award at the NMC committee held in Cape
Town in October to Jean Bowler, Treasurer of Cape
Town,
the other branches and national. Jean
has given 20 years voluntary service to Retina South Africa and is a deserving
winner of this award.
MINI
BRANCHES
EAST LONDON Thanks to Sanlam for
donating a computer to the East London mini-branch. Sunette Hearn, convenor, is doing very well and they
sold 1007 blue genes patches during World Retina Week, she can be contacted on
telephone number 043 741 2484.
GEORGE MINI BRANCH – Lynn
Milburn-Pyle can be contacted on 044 870 0326.
Please support the mini branch nearest you or start one in your
area. Full support and training will be
given. A meeting to launch a mini-branch in Mphumalanga will be held in the New
Year. Please contact the National
office for more information.
SWING FOR SIGHT
Gauteng’s Annual “Swing for Sight’ golf day was held at the Benoni Country Club
on the 7th November 2001.
Although rain washed out play the capacity field had great fun chipping
for great prizes. The balance of the
prizes went by lucky draw. Thanks goes to Tich Cousins, the convenor, who
raised a tremendous R21 700. Special
thanks to all the sponsors of this event.
NMC NEWS
The Bi-annual National Management committee meeting was held over the weekend
of the 3rd & 4th November 2001 in Cape Town. A new bold structure for Retina South Africa
was agreed upon at the meeting. The
Strategic Plan was formulated by the new National Vice Chairman, James Cape and
includes the appointment of a Director of Administration. We are looking for a retired business man or
woman to fill this post on a voluntary basis.
A gratuity and travel costs will be considered, please contact Claudette
at 083 306 5262 if you know of anyone who may be interested. Claudette will take up the position of
Director of Science, also in a voluntary capacity.
FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA A glamorous celebrity fashion extravaganza is planned for
Port Elizabeth in March. Penny-Rey
Coelen (ex Miss World), Heather Hamilton (ex Miss South Africa) will be 2 of
the many
stars of South Africa fashion who will be modelling
the glamorous gowns of Jason Kieck.
LIBERTY RIDE FOR SIGHT Sunday 24th February 2002.
Thanks to Liberty who have
once again sponsored our annual “Ride for Sight”. This will be the last major ride in Gauteng before the Argus and
a record entry is expected. The event will also be the final stage of the
Weleda Action Series and this will also add to the popularity of the
event. Dischem Discount Pharmacies will
be sponsoring the 57km event. 240
volunteers are needed on the day to take entries, man water tables, marshal,
etc. We need volunteers to organise and man water tables. All you need to provide is 10 people and
music, everything else will be delivered.
This is the largest
fundraising event for Retina South Africa and sadly too few of our members are
involved. We really need your
help. Please contact the National
Office if you are able to assist in any way; prizes, manpower, sponsorship,
etc.
BLUE GENES PATCHES
COMPETITION Our thanks go to the sponsors: International Travel, Novartis, Protea
Hotels, Valley Lodge and Wella. The winners of the competition were as follows:
First Prize: Debbie Robinson, Umhlanga Rocks, Second Prize: Bridget Wesson,
East London, Third Prize: Ms P Du Preez, Arcadia, Pretoria.
USHER SYNDROME RESEARCH
PROJECT Mount Sinai School of Medicine is looking for Usher
Syndrome patients of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
Contact Dr Ness: nesss01@doc.mssm.edu,
P O Box 1497, Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029.
OUTREACH PROJECT FOR
PRETORIA AREA Thanks to a generous grant from De Beers Fund, we
are extending our outreach service to the Mamelodi area. We are looking for a part-time nurse to work
in the community to identify patients with Retinal Degeneration.
Identification, accurate clinical diagnosis and DNA banking are the first steps
in the chain towards treatment of retinal degeneration. For more information,
please contact Veli Dhlamini at the National Office or Sarien van Rooyen on
cell number 082 717 0180.
RESEARCH GRANT R396 970 has been approved for our Gene Tracking
Project at UCT for 2002. This is R93
000 more than the projected income of all the branches for the year. Every
member needs to face this challenge.
Management
and staff wish all our readers, members, sponsors and supporters a Joyous
Festive season and a prosperous New Year.