kgdykes@watbun.UUCP (05/13/85)
Thousands of Canadians coast to coast suffer loss of sight from RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA. It's a progressive condition which results in loss of sight. At the moment, there is no cure, but progress is being made. The first symptom is often night blindness, followed by narrowing of side vision until the patient has what we call "tunnel vision". Eventually, in most instances, leading to total blindness. It is an in- hereted disease, transmitted by a gene which may be recessive, dominant or X-linked. It is estimated that one persion in every eighty carries the gene for recessive RP. This means it can strike without warning in a family with no previous history of eye diseases. And you can help generate the money needed for research. If you are a motorcyclist, participate in the NATIONAL RIDE FOR SIGHT (1985) on June 8-9. This event was started in Ontario nine years ago and went national two years ago. The format is basically: 1) Collect donations, 2) on June 8/85 ride your bike to a specified provincial area, 3) hand in donations and enjoy free camping, shows and contests. If you are not a motorcyclist, or cannot directly participate, you may make a donation through a local participant or directly to the: Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation of Canada Ride for Sight 411-185 Spadina Crescent, Suite 115, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2C6 (416) 598-4951 Forms are available at local dealers, motorcycle touring clubs, etc. For more information or "who to call locally", contact the above address. For simple questions or names/numbers of Ontario contacts, or the Ontario Ride Destination, send net-mail to: watmath!watbun!kgdykes (Ken Dykes) The National Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation of Canada is a Canadian registered charity. Registration #0425769-13-13 Dept. of National Revenue.