Contact: Mary Ellen Sanders (818) 992-0631
Email: Info@VisionAwards.org
Hollywood could not predict 32 years ago that each director, producer, actor and actress honored with a Vision Award from RP International would be rewarded with actually seeing such unbelievable results. Nearly 28 years later, the computer chip implant was announced on Dateline by Vision Awards medical recipient, Dr. Alan Chow.
Now, the Jules Stein Living Tribute Award honors Dr. Kerry Assil and (the first ever) Estelle Doheny Living Tribute Award will be presented to USC’s Dr. SriniVas Sadda. Each touching the critical part of the eye that causes restoration of eyesight.
Ray Charles, a long time member of RP International left behind a legacy of Hope through darkness says Helen Harris, President and Founder of RP International. This year, Taylor Hackford will be recognized as the Director of Vision for the incredible success of his lifetime passion, the film “Ray”.
Blinded by RP herself, Harris and her two sons fight on for hope that no other child will be diagnosed with RP. Older son, Bob can be found creating TheatreVision Description for the blind at the RP center daily in the hopes that description of movies, television, art museums and all things will be seen through the eyes of others.
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Clive Davis will receive the prestigious Lester Sill Humanitarian Award. Named in honor of Lester Sill, when he became involved with the Bob Hope production of a song for blind children, seemingly forgotten in the research world.
“No Child Left Behind”... a dream song of Helen Harris will be sung for the first time at the benefit. Harris and friends wrote the lyrics, and a video presentation of sightless days silently backdrops the movement. The song will be sung by the International Children’s Choir.
Film Artists of Vision Jamie Foxx, Alec Baldwin and Gena Rowlands are being acknowledged for their special performances in a film. A.C. Lyles is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in film.
Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer and Christiane Amanpour will be honored as Women of Vision. Steven Bochco, Nick Cassavetes, Oliver Stone and a host of celebrity presenters and performers will join hosts Army Archerd and John O'Hurley to celebrate the new found cure for Retinitis Pigmentosa, Macular Degeneration and Viagra Induced Blindness.
It is hoped that the adult stem cell research started by Helen Harris and her small team of forward thinking researchers will finally get the funding to further the restoration of eyesight with yet another avenue. The first cell transplant occurred in New Orleans in 1984 where Harris and friend visited the surgical suite in scrubs and watched the surgery, which proved successful. Funding was still unobtainable until recent publicity brought adult stem cell research to the forefront, finally receiving the attention required to break the deadlock of ignorance.
The 32nd Annual Vision Awards, continues the tradition of bringing millions of dollars to research facilities, through the generous donations of those attending the event. The event is being held in the International Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. CA 90210.
For further information call 1-800-RIGHT-RP. Tickets and programs available by phone or www.VisionAwards.org. email: Info@VisionAwards.org
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