We are all saddened by the sudden and unexpected loss of our co-founder Herbert (Herb) Lotman on May 8.
Herb and his wife Karen established the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) as a 501 (c) 3 public charity in 1997 with the firm belief that 100 percent of all donations should be directly invested in science and research, in order to find a cure and restore the vision of those affected by retinal and macula diseases. At that time, eye disease research was more focused on the cornea and very little was known about the retina. There existed little interest in investing in retinal research due to the erroneous belief that macular degeneration only affected senior citizens.
Herb and Karen knew that this work was too important to leave to corporate interests, or lack thereof. Since its founding, MVRF has provided nearly $20 million dollars to fund groundbreaking research projects, conducted by the world’s top scientists, with the promise of helping millions of people affected by visual impairment. What makes MVRF unique is that all administrative and fundraising expenses are underwritten by the Karen and Herbert Lotman Foundation, and every dollar donated goes directly to finding a cure.
We are extraordinarily fortunate to have had Herb’s vision in establishing these founding principles of MVRF, and we are committed to continuing his work with the mandate of funding the best and most innovative research directed toward discovering treatments and cures for retinal diseases worldwide.
Karen Lotman remains a key leader in our organization, and her daughter, Shelly Lotman Fisher, with help from her mother and brother Jeffrey Lotman, will oversee the Foundation. Shelly is committed to upholding MVRF as the premier charitable organization that funds vision research grants and provides education and support for people with vision loss. The goal remains the same, which is to make her parents’ dream of finding a cure for these diseases come true. The administrative staff and the International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB) will remain an integral part of the Foundation.
With additional research and MVRF support, we are confident that we will continue to enhance our understanding of macular degeneration and use this information to find interventions and treatments.
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About the Macula Vision Research Foundation:
The Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) is a 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to finding a cure for macular degeneration and other retinal diseases. To reach this goal, MVRF funds groundbreaking research projects conducted by the world’s top scientists with the hope of improving the lives of millions of people affected by visual impairment. What makes MVRF unique is that 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to research. All administrative and fundraising expenses are underwritten by the Karen and Herbert Lotman Foundation, allowing MVRF to allocate all donations towards finding a cure. Along with funding research, MVRF also provides education and outreach to those with visual impairments through our SupportSightTM seminars and newsletter. For more information, visit www.mvrf.org.
Contact for media & other inquiries:
Dawn Prall George, Executive Director
Macula Vision Research Foundation
610-234-0091 or 1-866-462-2852
dawn@mvrf.org
