Help Vicki raise money

Dear Friends and Family, 

This is Vicki Ferri.  

  I hope this message finds you well.  I am writing to share an exciting challenge I have undertaken and to invite your support for a cause that is profoundly personal to me.  This August 18, I will be participating in the annual Falmouth Road Race, running on behalf of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, a pioneer in fighting blindness and restoring the gift of sight.

The reason I chose to run is deeply personal, I am committed to not only witnessing but actively contributing to the hope of good vision, and ability to help patients live full and healthy lives.  Each stride I take in this race symbolizes a step forward in the quest for medical breakthroughs that can restore vision.

As a nurse specializing in ophthalmology, I witness daily the struggle faced by individuals who are blind or nearly blind, many of whom battle life-debilitating diseases that require continuous care.  At Mass Eye and Ear, I work alongside world-class doctors, nurses, researchers and medical teams who are dedicated to finding cures and innovative treatments to improve both vision and quality of life for our patients and their families.  I have worked as a nurse for Mass Eye and Ear for over 20 years.

My personal journey, where I was suddenly a patient instead of a nurse, occurred very unexpectedly, when I suddenly lost 90% of the vision in my right eye, due to an unexplained retinal detachment.  Thanks to the swift and expert care I received from the entire Mass Eye and Ear staff, and the Retina Services department, guided by the expert care of Dr. Dean Eliott, my vision was miraculously restored to 20/20.  This experience not only deepened my understanding of our patient's challenges, but also reinforced my commitment to the mission of our institution.

Your support by way of a charitable donation will directly impact this work.  100% of funds raised will advance eye disease research, and pave the way for groundbreaking treatments and cures.  With your help, we can offer increased hope to those whose vision might otherwise deteriorate without intervention.