A Young Philanthropist - Rebecca S.

Rebecca S. turned 12 this past June and began to prepare for her Bat Mitzvah. In keeping with her family’s philanthropic values, she decided to use the Bat Mitzvah as a platform to raise awareness as well as money for a cause dear to her family - research to help children who have been born without sight.

Rebecca’s cousin, Isaac, was born blind just over two years ago. His vision impairment is a result of a form of FEVR, and he has been treated by Dr Capone since he was a tiny baby. Rebecca is very close to her cousin and began to think of how she could help others see Isaac’s journey and become more understanding of the challenges that anyone with vision impairment faces.

In preparation for the Bat Mitzvah, Rebecca and her family set up a Go Fund Me page for VRRF, which raised almost $10,000. At the actual Bat Mitzvah service, Rebecca wanted the 200 attendees to also physically understand how it is to be blind. During Rebecca’s speech, the guests all put on blindfolds and listened while Rebecca talked about her special bond with Isaac as well as the challenges that he and other children who cannot see face. She spoke of the hope that the research being done now holds for preventing or improving children’s vision problems in the future.

At the party which followed, the entire hall was set up with black lights which showed what it is like to move in the world of darkness. Rebecca designed a logo of an eye to focus all on vision and how important it is. Everyone had fun but many were deeply touched by the new personal knowledge of how the world without sight is challenging.

Rebecca is a wonderful example of how a caring group can make an impact. The financial donations and the awareness which were raised are very meaningful contributions to the work of the Pediatric Retinal Foundation.

Thank you, Rebecca, and many thanks to her family and friends.

~ Kay White