VFT Proud to Help Create New Umbrella Group
October 28, 2021 – The recent creation of a new nonprofit organization, Aniridia North America (ANA), has been announced by its founding Board of Directors. This umbrella organization will represent, serve, and support North American aniridia patients and their families, researchers and clinicians, and patient advocacy organizations. ANA will foster collaborative relationships between these and similar stakeholders around the world. These relationships are key to furthering research, disseminating information, and optimizing clinical care.
The founding Board of Directors of Aniridia North America includes Susan Wolfe, President, Vision for Tomorrow. Susan was instrumental in helping to form ANA and is currently serving as the Board Treasurer. Other founding Board members include Peter Netland, MD, PhD, University of Virginia; Shari Krantz and Kelly Trout, BSN, RN, International WAGR Syndrome Association; James Lauderdale, PhD, University of Georgia; and Robert Grainger, PhD, University of Virginia. Janelle Collins is serving as ANA Board Member at Large.
“ANA will help VFT increase our networking across North America and the globe to further research and better connect families in the aniridia community,” said Wolfe. “The spirit of collaboration in helping to bring this organization to life gives us so much hope for the entire aniridia community.”
ANA will not replace existing aniridia-related patient advocacy groups but will work to support and enhance the outreach and collaborations of these groups in North America and internationally. VFT will continue its mission of funding aniridia-related research and supporting those with aniridia and their families.
ANA to Host Scientific Symposium
The 2021 Aniridia North America Symposium: PAX6, Aniridia, and Beyond will bring together top researchers from North America and around the world November 5 to 7 at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. This meeting, like its predecessor, the 2019 John F Anderson Symposium: PAX6, Aniridia, and Beyond, will provide a forum for the scientific community to present current aniridia research findings and facilitate collaboration on future studies.
“The 2019 event inspired so much hope. As a result, VFT expanded its research network and uncovered new studies worth funding,” said Wolfe. “We expect similar results from this meeting and are excited to share the findings as we learn more.”
The VFT Board of Directors will attend the meeting and disseminate information for patients and their families following the meeting. Follow VFT on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter real time snapshots from the meeting.
To learn more about ANA, visit www.aniridiaNA.org
