[ont.events] Retinitis Pigmentosa & Motorcycles

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.