December 3, New York --
The Glaucoma
Foundation (TGF) recognized the life accomplishments
of New York Governor David A. Paterson at its 22nd
Annual Black & White Ball, held December 3rd at the
Pierre Hotel in New York City. Governor Paterson was
awarded the Kitty Carlisle Hart Award of Merit for
Lifetime Achievement. The award was created in 1999
in recognition of Ms. Hart’s contributions to the
battle against glaucoma and was presented to
Governor Paterson by the late Ms. Hart’s daughter,
New York physician, Dr. Catherine Hart.
“We applaud Governor Paterson’s tenacity
and courage to overcome obstacles – traits that
embody the spirit of the Kitty Carlisle Hart Award,”
said Gregory K. Harmon, M.D., Chairman of The
Glaucoma Foundation. “He has set a milestone in
American public life,” Dr. Harmon added, noting that
“in all his endeavors, Governor Paterson continues
to challenge public perceptions about what it means
to have a disability.”
Said Governor
Paterson: "As someone who has experienced acute
angle-closure glaucoma, I know the pain and fear
that comes from a sudden onset of glaucoma. In my
case, I was extremely lucky - I had world-class
treatment just two miles from my home, and fully
recovered. Without that immediate attention, I could
have suffered irreversible damage -- and this is
what makes the work of The Glaucoma Foundation so
important. By raising awareness about glaucoma and
by funding groundbreaking research toward
prevention, treatments and cures, you are bringing
the world closer to eradicating preventable
blindness from glaucoma."
Also honored at the December 3rd event
was TGF’s founder, Dr. Robert Ritch, who received
the first Award for Excellence and Innovation in
Glaucoma. This new award recognizes the
contributions of individuals who have played a
significant and unique role in promoting the
medicine and science of glaucoma. It has been
renamed the Dr. Robert Ritch Award for Excellence
and Innovation in Glaucoma.
Income generated from the Ball supports innovative
research primarily in the fields of optic nerve
rescue and restoration and the genetics of the
disease, two key areas in the pursuit of improved
treatments. Proceeds will also help sustain TGF's
efforts to educate the public about the need for
routine testing to detect the disease in its
earliest stages. Glaucoma afflicts more than 3
million people in the U.S. and 67 million worldwide.
The Glaucoma Foundation
The mission of The Glaucoma Foundation (TGF) is to
fund groundbreaking research and to educate the
public about the disease and the importance of early
detection to prevent blindness. Founded in1984 by
Dr. Robert Ritch, TGF is one of the premier
not-for-profit organizations dedicated to
eradicating blindness from glaucoma through vital
research and education. In addition to the Kitty
Carlisle Hart Award of Merit for Lifetime
Achievement, TGF sponsors two additional accolades:
the new Dr. Robert Ritch Award for Innovation and
Excellence in Glaucoma and the Corporate Visionary
Award