THE FASHION BALL: DINING IN THE DARK 
Celebrates Fashion Visionaries, Benefits Foundation Fighting Blindness
WHO:Visionary Award honorees Rick Darling, President of the world’s leading consumer goods supply chain management company, LF USA, and esteemed fashion executive Jill Granoff; Committee Chair Evan Mittman.
WHAT: The Foundation Fighting Blindness is hosting THE FASHION BALL: DINING IN THE DARK on May 25th at the Ritz Carlton Battery Park to honor fashion visionaries who have supported the organization’s urgent mission to drive research that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for people affected by macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, Usher syndrome, and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases.
Dining in the Dark is a rare and unique sensory adventure that takes guests on a journey of taste, smell, sound and touch…all in the dark. For about 30 minutes, attendees will enjoy their entrée using only these senses, to get a glimpse into the lives of the blind. Visually impaired servers, who are trained specifically for the dinner to use a system of ropes and stanchions, will help guests navigate through this new experience. It will serve as a memorable backdrop as the Foundation Fighting Blindness honors extraordinary individuals who have made a lasting impression on the fashion community and on the lives of more than 10 million Americans living with blinding retinal diseases.
“Dining in the Dark truly heightens awareness about the challenges visually impaired individuals experience every day,” said Foundation Fighting Blindness CEO Bill Schmidt. “We’re thrilled to recognize the contributions of these fashion industry leaders as we come together to support promising research to ensure brighter futures for people living in darkness.”
Over the last 40 years, the Foundation Fighting Blindness has honored the Honorable Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Steve Wynn, Lee Iacocca, J. Willard Marriot, Jr. and Ross & Margot Perot.
Tables, individual tickets, and sponsorships can be coordinated by contacting Ally Welsh at 212.244.1470 or awelsh@blindness.org or visiting the Foundation Fighting Blindness website.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 25, 2011
5:30pm Press Call ++Credentials needed for Red Carpet Access++
6: 00pm Cocktails/Red Carpet
7:00pm Dinner/Awards Presentation with Dancing to Follow
WHERE: Ritz Carlton Battery Park
2 West Street at 1St Place, New York City
PRESS CONTACTS:
Jesse Parker Stowell Andrea Vividor Allie Gebhardt
Full Picture Full Picture Foundation Fighting Blindness
212.995.2384 212.995.2480 410.423.0643
jstowell@fullpic.com avividor@fullpic.com agebhardt@fightblindness.org
About Foundation Fighting Blindness
The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a national nonprofit driving blindness research that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases that affect 10 million Americans. In its 40-year history, the Foundation has raised more than $425 million as the leading non-governmental funder of retinal research. With a network of 50 chapters, the Foundation also provides free disease information and low vision resources to affected individuals and their families. Most recently, a breakthrough Foundation-funded study using gene therapy restored significant vision in children and young adults who were previously blind, paving the way for using this method to treat a wide variety of retinal degenerative diseases, and proving a cure is in sight.