LEDYARD, CT — October 14, 2026 — Hope in Focus will bring the inherited retinal disease (IRD) community together on Saturday, October 24, at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, for a day of education, connection, and fundraising. Through its signature fundraiser, Dinner in the Dark, the organization aims to raise $200,000 to advance research and support individuals and families affected by Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and other inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). LCA is a retinal disease causing severe vision loss at birth.
The day begins with New England Vision Connection, a free educational event presented by Hope in Focus and the Foundation Fighting Blindness from 1-3 p.m. The seminar will feature research updates, educational presentations, personal perspectives, and opportunities to connect with the IRD community. Individuals and families affected by inherited retinal diseases, along with students, researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals, are welcome.
In the evening, Dinner in the Dark kicks off with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m., and then a silent and spirited live auction, and dancing to live music by The Cartells. Guests are invited to wear blindfolds while enjoying a specially crafted menu prepared by Foxwoods chefs, offering a unique chance to dine without sight.
New this year, guests are encouraged to take part in two interactive experiences that highlight different aspects of living with low vision: They can try to win a prize with the Braille Book Challenge and then try out a vision simulator to experience how different forms of retinal disease (or “blindness”) can affect vision. Both activities offer a hands-on opportunity to learn, engage, and gain a new perspective on vision loss.
“Dinner in the Dark brings our community together around a shared commitment to research, awareness, education, and support,” said Courtney Coates, executive dDirector of Hope in Focus. “From our free educational seminar to new interactive experiences and fundraising opportunities, we look forward to connecting with supporters and showing how, together, we can help move progress forward for the LCA and IRD community.”
Auctions and Majestic Boxes Offer More Ways to Support
The evening’s live and silent auctions will feature unique items and experiences to benefit Hope in Focus. New to the live auction this year is a one-week stay in the Outer Banks at The Cunningham in Corolla, North Carolina, which accommodates up to 16 guests and features a private pool, hot tub, recreation room, and convenient beach access.
Other auction highlights include a Lake of Isles golf experience and “Bid Blind” with Jeffrey P’an, featuring a hand-blown glass item guests will bid on without seeing it.
The Majestic Box fundraiser, generously donated by founding supporters Susette Tibus and Chuck Sneddon of Simply Majestic, is an annual favorite. Limited to 100 boxes, each includes a sky-blue pendant set in sterling silver with an 18-inch sterling silver cable chain, valued at $100. Every purchase includes an entry for a chance to win the grand prize – a stunning 14k white gold diamond-accented zebra-striped fashion ring featuring 1.13 carats of natural diamonds. Supporters can purchase boxes on the website and have them shipped if they can’t attend the event.
All proceeds from Dinner in the Dark and its fundraising activities support Hope in Focus’s mission to advance treatments for blindness and provide education, resources, and support to individuals and families affected by LCA and other IRDs.
Event Information and Tickets
New England Vision Connection
- Saturday, October 24, 2026, 1–3 p.m.
- Free admission; advance registration is requested
- Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, CT
Dinner in the Dark
- Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m.
- Individual tickets: $175
- 20/20 Vision Patron Table: $2,020 for eight guests
- Sponsorship opportunities begin at $500
For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and event details, visit hopeinfocus.org/dinner.
Hope in Focus extends its sincere thanks to this year’s sponsors and supporters:
Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT
Charter Oak Federal Credit Union
Duncklee Cooling and Heating Inc
Hartford Healthcare – Backus Hospital
Hoyt, Filippetti & Malaghan, LLC
Melissa Allen Pilates & Movement
Phase One Consulting
Water Street Design Associates
About Hope in Focus
Hope in Focus is a nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 2014 by Laura Manfre and Charles Priebe, parents of a child born with the rare, inherited blinding retinal disease, Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). The global organization is dedicated to advancing treatments for blindness by raising funds for research and by providing information and support to the LCA community. Hope in Focus bridges the unnecessary chasm between the people who inform the science and the science that transforms how people live, while keeping families and individuals living with this rare disease at the forefront of each step.
Media Contact:
Eve Orcutt
Marketing and Community Engagement Manager
eve@hopeinfocus.org
860-266-6081
Learn more: hopeinfocus.org