Foundation Fighting Blindness Launches First-Ever National VisionWalk Day

National VisionWalk Day on October 31^st will unite supporters from anywhere, raising awareness and funding research driving treatments and cures for blinding diseases.

COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation Fighting Blindness, the driving force in the global development of treatments and cures for blinding diseases, will host its first-ever National VisionWalk Day on Saturday, October 31, 2026. This family-friendly virtual event will bring together supporters from across the country for a dynamic livestream experience celebrating the culmination of Blindness Awareness Month while raising awareness and accelerating research advancing treatments and cures for blinding diseases.

Streaming live via Tiltify, National VisionWalk Day will give participants the opportunity to connect from wherever they are through fundraising challenges, interactive science and VisionWalk trivia, inspiring community stories, and opportunities to step away from their screens and take part in a walk in their own communities. Throughout the day, supporters will celebrate fundraising milestones, share favorite VisionWalk memories, and connect with others who are passionate about advancing the Foundation's mission.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET, the livestream will be hosted by Foundation staff, including Eye on the Cure podcast host Maddie Mossman, and feature remarks from Foundation Chief Executive Officer Jason Menzo. Viewers will also hear from Foundation community members participating from unique locations around the country, including Paralympic gold medalist and world-record holder Anastasia Pagonis, who will share her perspective on living with vision loss, and retinal surgeon and NASCAR driver Dr. Patrick Staropoli, who will report live from the racetrack. Attendees will also enjoy reflections on favorite VisionWalk moments from across the years through photos, stories, and recorded content celebrating the impact of the VisionWalk community.

Participants can take part individually or create and join fundraising teams with friends, family members, coworkers, and community groups. Attendees are also encouraged to share photos and videos of National VisionWalk Day activities on social media using #VisionWalk.

"National VisionWalk Day is an exciting new way for our community to come together, no matter where they live, to celebrate progress and accelerate momentum toward treatments and cures," says Jason Menzo, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. "As we close out Blindness Awareness Month, this event is an opportunity to recognize the strength and resilience of our community while inspiring even more people to support the research that is bringing hope to individuals and families affected by blinding diseases."

Since 2006, VisionWalk has raised more than $78 million, thanks to the generosity of over 255,000 walkers, donors, and corporate sponsors. These funds have enabled the Foundation to continue its critical mission of advancing treatments and cures from the laboratory to the patients who need them. With more than 60 clinical trials evaluating potential treatments, the need for funding to continue advancing this research is greater than ever.

National VisionWalk Day is supported by National VisionWalk Partners Samsung and Amgen.

To register, create a fundraising team, donate, or learn more about National VisionWalk Day, visit www.FightingBlindness.org/NationalVisionWalkDay.

About the Foundation Fighting Blindness
Established in 1971, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is the world's leading private funding source for retinal degenerative disease research. The Foundation has raised nearly $1 billion toward its mission of accelerating research for preventing, treating, and curing blindness caused by the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, and Stargardt disease. Visit FightingBlindness.org for more information.

Media Contact:
Chris Adams
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
[email protected]
(410) 423-0585

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SOURCE Foundation Fighting Blindness