Stamford Resident Named Westchester-Fairfield Chapter President of Foundation Fighting Blindness; Anne Katcher Dedicated to Raising Awareness of Blinding Retinal Diseases

The Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB), a nonprofit dedicated to finding preventions, treatments and cures for vision-robbing retinal diseases, has appointed Anne Katcher of Stamford, CT as President of the Westchester-Fairfield Chapter of FFB. The new role recognizes her ongoing support of FFB’s urgent mission to drive cutting-edge research to help the more than 10 million Americans affected by retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal diseases.

“I am greatly pleased that Anne will be leading the Westchester-Fairfield Chapter of FFB,” said Bill Schmidt, CEO, Foundation Fighting Blindness. “Her dedication to improving the health and lives of families is in direct alignment with the goals and values of the Foundation. She will be a tremendous asset to our efforts.”
Anne became an active member of the Foundation Fighting Blindness in 2012 and became a National Trustee in 2013. She had a significant impact on the success of the Foundation’s Banking on a Cure Dinner fundraising event in New York City in 2014, helping to raise over $1 million. “One of my key goals in taking on this leadership position is to provide support to those affected by rare retinal diseases, provide information to the wider community and develop relationships with local medical and business professionals who can help increase awareness of our mission to cure blindness,“ said Ms. Katcher. “I’m extremely honored to serve in this role and look forward to helping bring attention to an issue that has been very important and personal to me.” Anne’s husband, Mitch, has retinitis pigmentosa, one of the retinal diseases for which the Foundation Fighting Blindness is working to find a cure.

Anne retired in 2013 after 29 years at AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, a member of the global financial services company AXA Group. At AXA, she served as a Senior Vice President and Managing Director, leading a team of over 100 people.

About Foundation Fighting Blindness
The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a national non-profit organization driving the research that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal diseases that affect more than 10 million Americans. Since 1971, the Foundation has raised nearly $600 million as the leading non-governmental funder of inherited retinal research. Breakthrough Foundation-funded studies using gene therapy have restored significant vision in children and young adults who were previously blind, paving the way for additional clinical trials to treat a variety of retinal diseases. The Foundation also has 50 chapters that provide support, information and resources to affected individuals and their families in communities across the country.

Please contact Jennifer Geider, Events Manager at JGeider@fightblindness.org or 212-244-1470 if you wish to become involved with the Westchester-Fairfield Chapter.