On October 24, Foxwoods Resort Casino was filled with zebras (symbolizing rare diseases), familiar faces, new connections, and a shared commitment to making a difference for the Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and inherited retinal disease (IRD) community.

Hope in Focus welcomed 280 guests for its 11th annual Dinner in the Dark, bringing together families, researchers, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters for an evening dedicated to advancing research and creating a brighter future for those affected by rare retinal diseases.

First time Master of Ceremonies, Luca Priebe, a junior at Ledyard High School led the evening’s programs and introductions to speakers who included Laura Manfre, the co-founder, Courtney Coates, auctioneer Micheal Wolf, and special guest speaker Dr. Jason Comander, a Director of the Inherited Retinal Disorder Service at Mass Eye and Ear Institute, drove home the important role patient advocacy organizations play in advancing treatments and was shared his experience in restoring vision in patients.

By the end of the evening, we raised over $180,000 to support our mission. Thank you to everyone who showed up and helped make this year’s event a success.

More Ways to Experience Our Mission

A goal for the event was to give guests more opportunities to interact with and learn about the experiences of people living with vision loss. We introduced several new activities throughout the evening to do just that.

With our Vision Simulator Experience, guests could put on simulation goggles and explore how different retinal conditions can affect what someone sees. The experience offered a new perspective on the range of visual challenges people living with LCA and other IRDs experience.

The Braille Book Challenge brought some friendly competition to the evening, encouraging guests to try and guess which print book fit which braille book. It was another opportunity to learn about accessibility and the different ways people with vision loss navigate the world.

No Dinner in the Dark would be complete without our zebras! Our volunteer crew was out in full force, bringing personality and awareness to the evening. We were also fortunate to have volunteers from the United States Navy serving as sighted guides, helping guests navigate the event and making sure everyone felt welcome and supported.

Bringing People Together for a Common Goal

Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed dinner prepared by the Foxwoods culinary team (see the menu in our “What’s for Dinner” blog), participated in our live and silent auctions, and spent time connecting with others who believe in the importance of research, education, and community support.

The auctions featured a variety of one-of-a-kind items and experiences, including a weeklong Outer Banks getaway, a Lake of Isles golf experience, Boston Bruins tickets, and a chance to take home a surprise glass creation through Jeffrey P’an’s Bid Blind experience. Our annual Majestic Box fundraiser gave guests another fun way to participate and support Hope in Focus.

Earlier in the day, Hope in Focus partnered with the Foundation Fighting Blindness to host the New England Vision Connection, a free educational seminar at Foxwoods. The afternoon brought together members of the IRD community for research updates, educational presentations, personal perspectives, and opportunities to connect. Together, the seminar and Dinner in the Dark made October 24 a full day of learning, community, and shared purpose.

The People Who Make It Possible

Behind every Dinner in the Dark is a community of people who give their time, energy, and generosity to make it happen.

We are very grateful to our sponsors, auction donors, event committee, volunteers, and everyone who helped bring this year’s event together. A special thank-you goes to our U.S. Navy sighted guides and our enthusiastic zebra crew for helping create a welcoming and memorable experience. We were grateful to partner once again with Beer’d Brewing Co. and Angelini Wine, which hand-selected pairings that elevated each course.

Most of all, thank you to everyone who continues to stand alongside individuals and families affected by LCA and other IRDs. Your support helps Hope in Focus advance treatment development while ensuring families have access to the information, resources, and connections they need along the way.

Our team left Foxwoods feeling grateful for this community and encouraged by everything we accomplished together. Thank you for being part of a special evening.

You can find the photos from the evening here.