Helen HarrisR.P. InternationalP.O Box 900Woodland Hills, CA 91365

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

FREE MATTERFOR

THE BLIND

Watch! Eyes of Christmas broadcast nationwide, Christmas Eve night 12 Midnight to 2 AM Pacificon Dish Network; 3 AM to 5 AM on KPXN-Los Angeles channels 21 and 30, WPXN-New York,

DirecTV and other ION Media stations. For specific times and channel locations in your area, visitwww.ionline.tv or contact RPI at 818-992-0631. Also, tune in “It’s A Wonderful Life” on NBC-TVnationwide, audio described by Former President George Bush on your television’s SAP channel.

EyesofChristmas.org • VisionAwards.org • 1-800-FIGHT-RP • rpint@pacbell.net

Laura Prepon

Army Archerd Stevie Wonder and The Blind Boys of Alabama Tia Carrere

Matthew Modine Robert Evans

anchor, Sam Rubin, who is popular for hisaccessible delivery, and trendy style. Rubin wasassisted by other celebrity presenters includingLynda Blair, Lou Diamond Phillips, Tia Carrere,C. Thomas Howell, Adrian Grenier, MatthewModine, January Jones, Laura Prepon, AngelaSun, Jack Coleman, Melora Hardin and NickStahl. The show brought the crowd of sixhundred twenty five to their feet more thanonce. An auction raised twenty five thousanddollars towards the first Mobility Scholarship tobe offered in 2008.

The evening's honorees included Katie Couric,Forest Whitaker, Andy Garcia, Brett Ratner,Wes Craven, Gary Michael Walters, and TommyNewman, along with doctors renowned for theircontributions to eye care. One of the evening'sspecial moments was a generation to generationtribute between Robert Evans and Brett Ratner.Ratner was obviously inspired, and joined thevision committee with enthusiasm as itapproaches it’s 35th Annual Show in 2008.The rising star brought his (continued on page 2)

Honorees and Participants at This Year'sVision Awards Included Katie Couric,

Forest Whitaker, Andy Garcia and Others,With Performances from Stevie Wonder and

The Blind Boys of Alabama

2007 Vision Awards Also Launched TheHollywood Adult Stem Cell Coalition

National Media Campaign, In Which TopStars Advocate Breakthrough Research andTreatments Which Restore Eyesight Using

Adult Stem Cell Technologies

The 34th annual Vision Awards© dinner andtaping, featuring live performances by StevieWonder and the Blind Boys of Alabama,showcased artists with over fifty AcademyAward nominations between them, and 25Academy Awards as a group. The magicalevening opened with the welcoming presence ofveteran columnist, Army Archerd, who has beenhosting the awards for more than 15 years. Thisyear's co-host was award winning KTLA

The NightLighter™ ©A Newsletter of RP International Fall 2007

Stevie Wonder and The Blind Boys of Alabama Performat the 34th Annual Vision Awards on June 16th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel

Stevie Wonder and Helen Harris

Jimmy Ross of Lions International

Linda Blair

Harmony Gold Award and President of LionsClub International, made a historic landmarkgift of ten thousand dollars to fund the world'sfirst ever TheatreVision theater. He thenfollowed up on his amazing generosity with achallenge that lit a torch, by inviting others tomatch his gift. It happened, as an anonymousdonor went back stage, and met the challenge."The current plan is to begin developing onetheater at a time," Harris said, "and building anetwork of light upon the inspiring foundationcreated by the Lions Club."

Established in the late eighties, TheatreVisionbegan with the audio vision greeting cardscreated by Helen Harris. These cards werecreated so that blind people could read simpleholiday gift cards just as sighted people do.Later, Harris took this challenge to the highestlevel: the movies. With the aid of a sightedwriter, Helen Harris wrote the first-everdescription of a movie for theaters. Harris thenasked Vin Scully to make the audio recording.Scully agreed, and "Forrest Gump" went to thesilver screen on the Paramount lot, and CenturyEight Theater, in the first year. Harris recallsthat it was the beginning of new technology,which was brought forth by necessity. Sheasked, "If we don't do it, then who will?" As aresult of her efforts, today it is mandated that atleast four hours of television be produced andaudio described for the blind and vision

favorite family members out to live with himseveral years ago, and his proud grand parentswere noticeably touched as he thanked them onstage for their wonderful care in his youth. Theaffection between Ratner and his grandparentsdid not go unnoticed by Helen Harris , the blindfounder of RP International, and the co-producer of the evening's show. Helen namedthe moment in honor of Brett, and his love forhis grandparents. Says Harris, "this isnoteworthy because we live in a world filledwith children who might not have the time,room or patience for their elders, which is avirtue that has been slowly receding in ourmodern times."

Another special moment occurred when WesCraven shared memories, and reflected upon themeaning of his own eyesight. Craven discussedthe number of times that we use words like"see," "look" and "focus," in our dailyconversation, and related it to the epidemic 86million people who are now struggling againsteyesight loss around the world.

The highl ight of the evening was thepresentation of the Lifetime AchievementAward to the Blind Boys of Alabama by thelegendary Stevie Wonder. The Blind Boys ofAlabama, now in their sixth generation ofgospel and pop, represent an extraordinaryhistory of overcoming both blindness, andgrowing up in orphanages. Wonder wasclearly touched as he made the presentation.The Blind Boys then invited Wonder to comeback on stage to sing with them. The audiencejoined in the encouragment, and Stevie went onstage to perform with the Blind Boys. Six blindboys from Alabama, and sevensightless singers overall, rocked the HiltonBallroom. All received a standing ovation.

Other musical appearances throughout theevening included the Good Listeners, theInternational Children's Choir and the legendaryLes Brown Band, who provided musicalaccompaniment throughout the evening.

Jimmy Ross, winner of this year's Agrama

Helen and Dr. Keith Black

2 11

2007 Eyes of ChristmasHosted By Army Archerd, Vin Scully, Bob Costas and Dr. Kerry Assil

“The Eyes of Christmas” includes celebrities’ greetings, music video from some of today’shottest musical artists, and the classic film, Charles Dickens’ Scrooge, audio described inTheatreVision™ for the blind, visually impaired, and fully sighted by veteran CBS newsanchor, Mario Machado. This year’s broadcast will air Christmas Eve Night, Monday,December 24th, nationwide on ION (formerly PAX) Media Networks, DirecTV, Dish Networkand KCOP 13 Los Angeles, to over 60 million homes.

The Holiday classic movie, It’s A Wonderful Life, audio described by former PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush on your SAP channel will be aired on NBC-TV nationwide,primetime, and on several dates in December.

Please visit www.EyesofChristmas.org and consider making a secure online charitydonation, or you may make a pledge to fight blindness by calling 1-800-FIGHT-RP.

Visually Handicapped Adults of the ValleyLocated at: 15520 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91406

Phone: (818) 992-0631 • Fax: (818) 992-3265The Visually Handicapped Adults of the Valley is a non-profit organization, managed by RPInternational since the 1990's. VHAV provides visually-challenged low to moderate incomeadults a safe and supportive haven where they receive training and education at no charge,on how to cope with the impairment of their sight. The activities provided include:

MACRAME NEWS/CURRENT EVENTS GROUP THERAPYPOTTERY MOBILITY TRAINING TRIVIA PURSUITCOOKING PHYSICAL THERAPY BRAILLE

Registration is on-going and classes are taught by credentialed teachers from the LosAngeles Unified School District. Hot lunch, morning beverages, pastries and snacks areprovided free, or at a nominal charge. Transportation coordinated at low cost through CityRide and Access.

Army Archerd Vin Scully Bob Costas Dr. Kerry Assil

impaired. Harris' goal is to see that all programming is produced in this format for those who needthe assistive living device, and their numbers are rapidly growing beyond the 86 million who alreadyare visually impaired.

Other highlights included an appearance by Todd Fields, the writer, director and producer of themovie "Little Children," who flew in from Boston to receive the Director of Vision Award. Fieldsadded his pledge to join the adult stem cell and TheatreVision projects, both of which affect millionsof Americans.

Dr. Keith Black, renowned Chief Neurosurgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,accepted the Jules Stein Living Tribute Award. Black is also turning his attention towards adultstem cell research, and noted that medical advances made since the early fifties have far outnum-bered the total amount of medical and scientific breakthroughs prior to that time.

Other scientists included Dr. Kristina Narfstrom of the University of Missouri School of VeterinaryMedicine, who was honored for her successful microchip implants, which have cured blindness inthree Abyssinian cats. Texas Instruments, was honored for their work in creating voice recognitionsoftware, which has played a crucial role in helping the blind, accepting was Gene Frantz. And,Dr. Thomas Tooma's work in performing thousands of Lasix operations to restore and preserveeyesight, was also celebrated.

The Vision Awards continued its tradition of recognizing vision in the world of industry, as well.And, this year's honorees demonstrated once again how important this category is. Ted Serandosaccepted on behalf of Reed Hastings, the visionary founder of Netflix, whose revolutionary concepthas altered the way the America sees its movies. Terry Semel, CEO of Yahoo!, was also honored.

The Lester Sill Humanitarian Award honored the efforts of the great music producer RussellSimmons, whose life's work and community service have influenced the cultural scene in Americatoday. And Ted Turner, founder and creator of the cable television networks that sent Americansfrom four channels to four hundred, was justly honored for Lifetime Achievement.

This year's film season also featured a revolutionary film that showed a war from the viewpoint ofone of America's former enemies. Iris Yamashita was honored as the writer of "Letters From IwoJima," a truly inspiring and visionary film that revealed much about the Japanese, and even moreabout humanity.

One of the evening's central themes was heroes. The critically acclaimed film, "United 93,"

Brett Ratner’s Family and Andy Garcia Iya Labunka and Wes Craven310

excellence' to "...develop, implement and disseminate innovative strategies for preventing and treatingblindness and other visual disorders in children," according to Children's Hospital Los AngelesPresident and CEO Richard D. Cordova.

The Vision Center has been organized under one "...administrative and budgetary umbrella..." with theformation of an advisory board, reporting to Mr. Cordova, who will participate as a member of theadvisory board with Vice President and Chief of Surgery Henri R. Ford, M.D., who is board chairman.

The Vision Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles is the largest pediatric ophthalmology programin the United States, and it is the only program in the country with expertise and treatment and researchprograms in virtually every pediatric ophthalmologic subspecialty area with the creation of six newinstitutes: the Retina Institute, the Cornea Institute, the Eye Birth Defects Institute, the VisionDevelopment Institute, the Eye Technology Institute and the Orbit and Eye Movement Institute.

Retinal Gene Therapy in Clinical Tests

Doctors in London and Seattle are conducting first-ever, human, clinical trials of a gene replacementtherapy that can restore vision to children blinded by a severe, hitherto incurable, retinal conditionknown as Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA).

University College London's (UCL) Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorefield's Eye Hospital andTargeted Genetics Corporation of Seattle are testing an innovative approach to treating a form of child-hood blindness. The trial, funded by the United Kingdom Department of Health is the first of its kindand could have a significant impact on future treatments for eye disease.

LCA patients lose vision from an abnormality in a retinal gene - RPE65. This defect prevents normalfunction of the retina, the light-sensitive layer of cells at the back of the eye. There are currently noeffective treatments for this condition.

The new treatment delivers a healthy, replacement gene to the retina by means of a targeted, helpervirus string. Targeted Genetics, of Seattle, has pioneered this technique in lab tests for 15 years.

"Testing it for the first time in patients is very important. It is a significant step towards establishinggene therapy for the treatment of many different eye conditions," says a Targeted Genetics scientist.

Besides its promise for LCA, the virus-delivered gene replacement approach may be used to treat avariety of other retinal diseases including retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, Usher syndrome, andage-related macular degeneration. It is believed that the success of these studies in the U.S. and theU.K. can pave the way for many more treatments to save and restore vision in millions of people aroundthe world.

was rightly chosen to spotlight this message. And the audience was honored by a special appearanceby family members of the fallen crew and passengers, which included especially eloquent remarksby Calvin Wilson, brother of first officer, LeRoy Homer.

Co-producing this year's 34th Vision Awards along with Helen Harris, was John Wildman.

The Vision Awards will celebrate its thirty-fifth anniversary in June of 2008. In the meantime, lookfor the Vision Awards broadcast this fall featuring special eye testing, along with eye care resourcesnationwide. For further information, call RP International and 1-800-FIGHT RP, or 800-344-4877.You may also visit us on the web at www.rpinternational.org, and www.visionawards.org.

RPI is currently gearing up for its televised specials for the Holiday Season. The NBC Network willonce again present the classic film, "It's a Wonderful Life", with TheatreVision description for theblind on the SAP channel by Former President George Herbert Walker Bush. Then, on ChristmasEve night on ION (formerly PAX) Media Networks, the "Eyes of Christmas," will be broadcast to150 million homes presenting the classic Charles Dickens "Scrooge", described for the blind.During the breaks, greetings from athletes and celebrities sharing their favorite holiday memorieswill also be presented. The governors of 50 states are expected to join us again this year.

We invite everyone to record the broadcast, and to participate in the Amsler grid eye test, and to lookfor Helping Hand Tips on rehabilitation facilities in their state.

2007 Vision Awards Moments

Mr. and Mrs. Jack ColemanMartin LandauC. Thomas Howell

Charles DurningGood Listeners Band Angela Sun

Nick Stahl

4

AMD Clinical Tests for iRNA - Non-Stem-Cell Gene Therapy

Clinical trials are getting underway for a promising therapy based on the much-heralded techniqueof RNA interference, or RNAi. The technique works by blocking a key gene involved in aprogressive disorder of the retina called wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), say executivesat Acuity Pharmaceuticals, a private biotechnology company in Philadelphia, P.A.

iRNA is a naturally occurring process in which the presence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) incells triggers a series of steps that ultimately destroys messenger RNA (mRNA) and shuts downprotein production. It is believed to have evolved to protect cells from invading viruses.

In the upcoming Phase I trial, doctors will inject many copies of Cand5, a "small, interfering"double-stranded RNA, or siRNA, directly into the eyeballs of patients suffering from the disablingeye disorder.

"It's tremendously exciting," says Michael McManus, an iRNA expert at the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco, US. "It represents the first step in using this technology to treat a human disease."

AMD is the leading form of adult blindness in the developed world. In the "wet" form of the disease,blood vessels abnormally develop late in life behind the retina. These fragile new vessels leak bloodand fluid that damages light-sensitive cells, eventually causing a large blind spot in the centralvisual field. Cand5 blocks the sprouting of these abnormal blood vessels by targeting the mRNAcopied from a gene to make a vessel-promoting protein.

A new tool that blocks disease-causing genes, RNA interference, has drawn keen interest fromresearchers and venture capitalists as leading the way for the next wave of blockbuster drugs inbiotechnology.

Largest U.S. Vision Center Grows in L.A.

The Vision Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles has expanded its international, referral centerfor children afflicted with complex forms of eye disease. It now provides the full range of inpatientand outpatient services, with subspecialty programs in cornea and refractive surgery, ceroplastics,optic nerve hypoplasia, retinoblastoma, retinal disorders, the largest pediatric ophthalmologyprogram in the United States, neurophysiology of vision and non-invasive technology. Uniquemedical genetic consults and evaluations are available to detect hereditary eye diseases.

The Vision Center, together with the Institute for Families, also offers counseling and support topatient families facing the "...devastating diagnosis..." of visual impairment of their child.

Children's Hospital Los Angeles most recently established The Vision Center as its sixth 'center of

Medical Corner

9

January Jones

Beth and Thomas Newman

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Tooma

Gary Michael Walters

Todd Field

Dr. Kristina Narfström

Ted Turner

The Blind Boys of Alabama with Helen

Ted Sarandosof Netflix

Iris Yamashita

Jimmy Ross

Wes Craven

Terry Semel

Andy Garcia

Lucy Jane Walker

Melora Hardin

United 93's Calvin Wilsonand Deborah Borza with

Helen Harris

Lou Diamond Phillips

Sam Rubin

Jesse Bradford and Gordon Clapp

Gene Franz ofTexas Instruments

8 5

At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Department of Neurosurgery, chairedby Dr. Keith Black, has demonstrated the potential of stem cells for thepurpose of treating neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors. TheDepartment of Neurosurgery has several investigators that have a variety ofinterests in understanding the character and behavior of stem cells for thepurpose of cell replacement therapy and targeting damaged central nervoussystem tissue for repair. More specifically, Dr. Black's department hasdemonstrated that bone marrow derived stem cells have the potential tomigrate towards brain tumor tissue and deliver anti-tumor agents to fightagainst the tumor. They have also shown that these cells could be used forgene delivery against brain disease. Another line of investigation examines

the potential of brain-derived stem cells. They have shown that these cells can be isolated and grownoutside of the body. Furthermore, they are able to manipulate these cells to generate specific braincells for the purpose of replacing dead or damaged neurons. In order to accomplish this they utilizegene delivery techniques to manipulate genes in these cells that promote stem cell proliferation,differentiation and cell fate choices. This has significant potential as these stem cells may be used asa "pool" or source of cells for cell replacement therapy, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's,ALS, Stroke or even retinal diseases. They have already demonstrated a unique method by which theycan isolate brain stem cells and generate dopaminergic neurons "in vitro" or in a cell culture dish.These cells are the same cells that are damaged in Parkinson's disease.

More recently, they have been examining how the immune system might control or regulate stem cellfunction. This line of investigation is cutting edge research as it examines ways of controlling stemcells inside the body. The overall objective is to convince the stem cells in the body to regeneratecells that are lost during neurodegenerative disease. This could have great potential for treatingpatients because they may figure out how to replace damaged neurons in patients withneurodegenerative diseases without performing surgery. While these new discoveries are verypromising, more research is needed in order to determine if this would be a real alternative to currentapproaches for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Additionally, Dr. Black's research team has been examining tumor tissue to determine if "tumor stemcells" exist. These tumor stem cells are believed to be responsible for the initiation and recurrence oftumors after therapy. They believe that if these cells exist they are responsible for metastasis oftumors or the aggressive recurrence of tumors after therapy. If they were able to identify these cellsthen they would be able to target and treat these cells in order to prevent tumor recurrence aftertherapy. This is a novel concept in the field of tumor biology and has great promise for newdiscoveries.

Taken together, Dr. Black's department and research team represents the best of what medicinehas to offer and they hold great promise for the future in medicine for neurodegenerative diseases andbrain tumors.

For more information on the research being done at the Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars SinaiMedical Center, please visit http://www.csmc.edu/1120.html.

Cedars-Sinai Progress In Adult Stem Cells

Keith L. Black, M.D.

On April 11, 2007 the Vision Awards committee met at the Assil Eye Institute in Beverly Hills,California, to help plan and gather support for RPI’s 34th Annual Vision Awards event that was heldon June 16.

After a sumptuous gourmet buffet provided through the generosity of Dr. Kerry Assil and his staff,the Vision Awards committee and guests were treated to a tour of the state-of-the-art Assil EyeInstitute. Next, the committee enjoyed a video presentation and discussion moderated by Dr. Assilabout RP International’s 34 years of service to the visually impaired community, and fight againstblindness through research funding.

To be included in the upcoming 2008 Vision Awards Committee, please add your contact informationrequested below and return via mail to: Vision Awards Committee, P.O. Box 900, Woodland Hills,CA 91365; fax to (818) 992-3265; or send an e-mail to rpint@pacbell.net:

Name:_________________________________Company:__________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________City: ________________________

State:________ Zip:___________________Phone:________________________________________

Fax:__________________________Email:______________________________________________

You may use my name on the Committee list

34th Annual Vision Awards Committee Meeting At Assil Eye Institute

Helene Moskowitz andHelen Harris

Army Archerd, Dr. Bruce Hensel,Helen Harris and Dr. Kerry Assil

Barbara Cane, Helen Harris andJonathan Gelfand

Aaron Redman, Helen Harris andScherr Lilico touring Assil facility

I might attend future committee meetings

Helen Harris andDr. Kerry Assil

6 7

TheatreVision Takes Gold at 2007 Blind Olympics

TheatreVision was the clear winner at this year's Blind Olympics, hosted here in Los Angeles by theOptimists Club on Saturday, April 21, 2007. Over one hundred young blindparticipants, from all over the country chaperoned by the Optimists Club and their parents, competedin a variety of athletic contests including running, jumping and team sports. But the highpoint of theevent came at a special TheatreVision presentation of Disney's "Hunchback of Notre Dame." Theevent was hosted by Warner Brothers Studios, who contributed both the use of the theater, as well asthe projectionists, to run the film with its specially equipped dual track audio. Disney contributed thefilm, and TheatreVision supplied the special audio track. This technology, patented by RPInternational, supplies a spoken description of the action alongside the regular audio soundtrack.

Lunch was supplied by Subway, who treated the more than 200 participants and family members to avictory meal of sandwiches, chips, cookies and drinks. After the movie, the buses took the athletesand their families to a nearby park in Burbank, where a partial demonstration of the Games was con-ducted. And blind athletes were asked for their comments about the movie and the TheatreVisionprocess. As the children were interviewed, they praised TheatreVision and its creator, Helen Harris,for bringing the uniting force of video media into their lives, which plays such a crucial role in defin-ing the world of the sighted. TheatreVision had supplied the greatest victory of all - it had made themfeel included. Each of the children cheered for more described movies and television shows. Andeveryone agreed that with TheatreVision, there is no contest - everyone is a winner!

Blind Olympiads competing in a sprint Blind Body Builder

Blind Subway alumnus and SubwayRepresentative Dave Kinney

Blind Olympiads in theatre raisinghands “YES” for more

TheatreVision Description

On April 11, 2007 the Vision Awards committee met at the Assil Eye Institute in Beverly Hills,California, to help plan and gather support for RPI’s 34th Annual Vision Awards event that was heldon June 16.

After a sumptuous gourmet buffet provided through the generosity of Dr. Kerry Assil and his staff,the Vision Awards committee and guests were treated to a tour of the state-of-the-art Assil EyeInstitute. Next, the committee enjoyed a video presentation and discussion moderated by Dr. Assilabout RP International’s 34 years of service to the visually impaired community, and fight againstblindness through research funding.

To be included in the upcoming 2008 Vision Awards Committee, please add your contact informationrequested below and return via mail to: Vision Awards Committee, P.O. Box 900, Woodland Hills,CA 91365; fax to (818) 992-3265; or send an e-mail to rpint@pacbell.net:

Name:_________________________________Company:__________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________City: ________________________

State:________ Zip:___________________Phone:________________________________________

Fax:__________________________Email:______________________________________________

You may use my name on the Committee list

34th Annual Vision Awards Committee Meeting At Assil Eye Institute

Helene Moskowitz andHelen Harris

Army Archerd, Dr. Bruce Hensel,Helen Harris and Dr. Kerry Assil

Barbara Cane, Helen Harris andJonathan Gelfand

Aaron Redman, Helen Harris andScherr Lilico touring Assil facility

I might attend future committee meetings

Helen Harris andDr. Kerry Assil

6 7

TheatreVision Takes Gold at 2007 Blind Olympics

TheatreVision was the clear winner at this year's Blind Olympics, hosted here in Los Angeles by theOptimists Club on Saturday, April 21, 2007. Over one hundred young blindparticipants, from all over the country chaperoned by the Optimists Club and their parents, competedin a variety of athletic contests including running, jumping and team sports. But the highpoint of theevent came at a special TheatreVision presentation of Disney's "Hunchback of Notre Dame." Theevent was hosted by Warner Brothers Studios, who contributed both the use of the theater, as well asthe projectionists, to run the film with its specially equipped dual track audio. Disney contributed thefilm, and TheatreVision supplied the special audio track. This technology, patented by RPInternational, supplies a spoken description of the action alongside the regular audio soundtrack.

Lunch was supplied by Subway, who treated the more than 200 participants and family members to avictory meal of sandwiches, chips, cookies and drinks. After the movie, the buses took the athletesand their families to a nearby park in Burbank, where a partial demonstration of the Games was con-ducted. And blind athletes were asked for their comments about the movie and the TheatreVisionprocess. As the children were interviewed, they praised TheatreVision and its creator, Helen Harris,for bringing the uniting force of video media into their lives, which plays such a crucial role in defin-ing the world of the sighted. TheatreVision had supplied the greatest victory of all - it had made themfeel included. Each of the children cheered for more described movies and television shows. Andeveryone agreed that with TheatreVision, there is no contest - everyone is a winner!

Blind Olympiads competing in a sprint Blind Body Builder

Blind Subway alumnus and SubwayRepresentative Dave Kinney

Blind Olympiads in theatre raisinghands “YES” for more

TheatreVision Description

January Jones

Beth and Thomas Newman

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Tooma

Gary Michael Walters

Todd Field

Dr. Kristina Narfström

Ted Turner

The Blind Boys of Alabama with Helen

Ted Sarandosof Netflix

Iris Yamashita

Jimmy Ross

Wes Craven

Terry Semel

Andy Garcia

Lucy Jane Walker

Melora Hardin

United 93's Calvin Wilsonand Deborah Borza with

Helen Harris

Lou Diamond Phillips

Sam Rubin

Jesse Bradford and Gordon Clapp

Gene Franz ofTexas Instruments

8 5

At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Department of Neurosurgery, chairedby Dr. Keith Black, has demonstrated the potential of stem cells for thepurpose of treating neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors. TheDepartment of Neurosurgery has several investigators that have a variety ofinterests in understanding the character and behavior of stem cells for thepurpose of cell replacement therapy and targeting damaged central nervoussystem tissue for repair. More specifically, Dr. Black's department hasdemonstrated that bone marrow derived stem cells have the potential tomigrate towards brain tumor tissue and deliver anti-tumor agents to fightagainst the tumor. They have also shown that these cells could be used forgene delivery against brain disease. Another line of investigation examines

the potential of brain-derived stem cells. They have shown that these cells can be isolated and grownoutside of the body. Furthermore, they are able to manipulate these cells to generate specific braincells for the purpose of replacing dead or damaged neurons. In order to accomplish this they utilizegene delivery techniques to manipulate genes in these cells that promote stem cell proliferation,differentiation and cell fate choices. This has significant potential as these stem cells may be used asa "pool" or source of cells for cell replacement therapy, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's,ALS, Stroke or even retinal diseases. They have already demonstrated a unique method by which theycan isolate brain stem cells and generate dopaminergic neurons "in vitro" or in a cell culture dish.These cells are the same cells that are damaged in Parkinson's disease.

More recently, they have been examining how the immune system might control or regulate stem cellfunction. This line of investigation is cutting edge research as it examines ways of controlling stemcells inside the body. The overall objective is to convince the stem cells in the body to regeneratecells that are lost during neurodegenerative disease. This could have great potential for treatingpatients because they may figure out how to replace damaged neurons in patients withneurodegenerative diseases without performing surgery. While these new discoveries are verypromising, more research is needed in order to determine if this would be a real alternative to currentapproaches for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Additionally, Dr. Black's research team has been examining tumor tissue to determine if "tumor stemcells" exist. These tumor stem cells are believed to be responsible for the initiation and recurrence oftumors after therapy. They believe that if these cells exist they are responsible for metastasis oftumors or the aggressive recurrence of tumors after therapy. If they were able to identify these cellsthen they would be able to target and treat these cells in order to prevent tumor recurrence aftertherapy. This is a novel concept in the field of tumor biology and has great promise for newdiscoveries.

Taken together, Dr. Black's department and research team represents the best of what medicinehas to offer and they hold great promise for the future in medicine for neurodegenerative diseases andbrain tumors.

For more information on the research being done at the Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars SinaiMedical Center, please visit http://www.csmc.edu/1120.html.

Cedars-Sinai Progress In Adult Stem Cells

Keith L. Black, M.D.

was rightly chosen to spotlight this message. And the audience was honored by a special appearanceby family members of the fallen crew and passengers, which included especially eloquent remarksby Calvin Wilson, brother of first officer, LeRoy Homer.

Co-producing this year's 34th Vision Awards along with Helen Harris, was John Wildman.

The Vision Awards will celebrate its thirty-fifth anniversary in June of 2008. In the meantime, lookfor the Vision Awards broadcast this fall featuring special eye testing, along with eye care resourcesnationwide. For further information, call RP International and 1-800-FIGHT RP, or 800-344-4877.You may also visit us on the web at www.rpinternational.org, and www.visionawards.org.

RPI is currently gearing up for its televised specials for the Holiday Season. The NBC Network willonce again present the classic film, "It's a Wonderful Life", with TheatreVision description for theblind on the SAP channel by Former President George Herbert Walker Bush. Then, on ChristmasEve night on ION (formerly PAX) Media Networks, the "Eyes of Christmas," will be broadcast to150 million homes presenting the classic Charles Dickens "Scrooge", described for the blind.During the breaks, greetings from athletes and celebrities sharing their favorite holiday memorieswill also be presented. The governors of 50 states are expected to join us again this year.

We invite everyone to record the broadcast, and to participate in the Amsler grid eye test, and to lookfor Helping Hand Tips on rehabilitation facilities in their state.

2007 Vision Awards Moments

Mr. and Mrs. Jack ColemanMartin LandauC. Thomas Howell

Charles DurningGood Listeners Band Angela Sun

Nick Stahl

4

AMD Clinical Tests for iRNA - Non-Stem-Cell Gene Therapy

Clinical trials are getting underway for a promising therapy based on the much-heralded techniqueof RNA interference, or RNAi. The technique works by blocking a key gene involved in aprogressive disorder of the retina called wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), say executivesat Acuity Pharmaceuticals, a private biotechnology company in Philadelphia, P.A.

iRNA is a naturally occurring process in which the presence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) incells triggers a series of steps that ultimately destroys messenger RNA (mRNA) and shuts downprotein production. It is believed to have evolved to protect cells from invading viruses.

In the upcoming Phase I trial, doctors will inject many copies of Cand5, a "small, interfering"double-stranded RNA, or siRNA, directly into the eyeballs of patients suffering from the disablingeye disorder.

"It's tremendously exciting," says Michael McManus, an iRNA expert at the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco, US. "It represents the first step in using this technology to treat a human disease."

AMD is the leading form of adult blindness in the developed world. In the "wet" form of the disease,blood vessels abnormally develop late in life behind the retina. These fragile new vessels leak bloodand fluid that damages light-sensitive cells, eventually causing a large blind spot in the centralvisual field. Cand5 blocks the sprouting of these abnormal blood vessels by targeting the mRNAcopied from a gene to make a vessel-promoting protein.

A new tool that blocks disease-causing genes, RNA interference, has drawn keen interest fromresearchers and venture capitalists as leading the way for the next wave of blockbuster drugs inbiotechnology.

Largest U.S. Vision Center Grows in L.A.

The Vision Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles has expanded its international, referral centerfor children afflicted with complex forms of eye disease. It now provides the full range of inpatientand outpatient services, with subspecialty programs in cornea and refractive surgery, ceroplastics,optic nerve hypoplasia, retinoblastoma, retinal disorders, the largest pediatric ophthalmologyprogram in the United States, neurophysiology of vision and non-invasive technology. Uniquemedical genetic consults and evaluations are available to detect hereditary eye diseases.

The Vision Center, together with the Institute for Families, also offers counseling and support topatient families facing the "...devastating diagnosis..." of visual impairment of their child.

Children's Hospital Los Angeles most recently established The Vision Center as its sixth 'center of

Medical Corner

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impaired. Harris' goal is to see that all programming is produced in this format for those who needthe assistive living device, and their numbers are rapidly growing beyond the 86 million who alreadyare visually impaired.

Other highlights included an appearance by Todd Fields, the writer, director and producer of themovie "Little Children," who flew in from Boston to receive the Director of Vision Award. Fieldsadded his pledge to join the adult stem cell and TheatreVision projects, both of which affect millionsof Americans.

Dr. Keith Black, renowned Chief Neurosurgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,accepted the Jules Stein Living Tribute Award. Black is also turning his attention towards adultstem cell research, and noted that medical advances made since the early fifties have far outnum-bered the total amount of medical and scientific breakthroughs prior to that time.

Other scientists included Dr. Kristina Narfstrom of the University of Missouri School of VeterinaryMedicine, who was honored for her successful microchip implants, which have cured blindness inthree Abyssinian cats. Texas Instruments, was honored for their work in creating voice recognitionsoftware, which has played a crucial role in helping the blind, accepting was Gene Frantz. And,Dr. Thomas Tooma's work in performing thousands of Lasix operations to restore and preserveeyesight, was also celebrated.

The Vision Awards continued its tradition of recognizing vision in the world of industry, as well.And, this year's honorees demonstrated once again how important this category is. Ted Serandosaccepted on behalf of Reed Hastings, the visionary founder of Netflix, whose revolutionary concepthas altered the way the America sees its movies. Terry Semel, CEO of Yahoo!, was also honored.

The Lester Sill Humanitarian Award honored the efforts of the great music producer RussellSimmons, whose life's work and community service have influenced the cultural scene in Americatoday. And Ted Turner, founder and creator of the cable television networks that sent Americansfrom four channels to four hundred, was justly honored for Lifetime Achievement.

This year's film season also featured a revolutionary film that showed a war from the viewpoint ofone of America's former enemies. Iris Yamashita was honored as the writer of "Letters From IwoJima," a truly inspiring and visionary film that revealed much about the Japanese, and even moreabout humanity.

One of the evening's central themes was heroes. The critically acclaimed film, "United 93,"

Brett Ratner’s Family and Andy Garcia Iya Labunka and Wes Craven310

excellence' to "...develop, implement and disseminate innovative strategies for preventing and treatingblindness and other visual disorders in children," according to Children's Hospital Los AngelesPresident and CEO Richard D. Cordova.

The Vision Center has been organized under one "...administrative and budgetary umbrella..." with theformation of an advisory board, reporting to Mr. Cordova, who will participate as a member of theadvisory board with Vice President and Chief of Surgery Henri R. Ford, M.D., who is board chairman.

The Vision Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles is the largest pediatric ophthalmology programin the United States, and it is the only program in the country with expertise and treatment and researchprograms in virtually every pediatric ophthalmologic subspecialty area with the creation of six newinstitutes: the Retina Institute, the Cornea Institute, the Eye Birth Defects Institute, the VisionDevelopment Institute, the Eye Technology Institute and the Orbit and Eye Movement Institute.

Retinal Gene Therapy in Clinical Tests

Doctors in London and Seattle are conducting first-ever, human, clinical trials of a gene replacementtherapy that can restore vision to children blinded by a severe, hitherto incurable, retinal conditionknown as Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA).

University College London's (UCL) Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorefield's Eye Hospital andTargeted Genetics Corporation of Seattle are testing an innovative approach to treating a form of child-hood blindness. The trial, funded by the United Kingdom Department of Health is the first of its kindand could have a significant impact on future treatments for eye disease.

LCA patients lose vision from an abnormality in a retinal gene - RPE65. This defect prevents normalfunction of the retina, the light-sensitive layer of cells at the back of the eye. There are currently noeffective treatments for this condition.

The new treatment delivers a healthy, replacement gene to the retina by means of a targeted, helpervirus string. Targeted Genetics, of Seattle, has pioneered this technique in lab tests for 15 years.

"Testing it for the first time in patients is very important. It is a significant step towards establishinggene therapy for the treatment of many different eye conditions," says a Targeted Genetics scientist.

Besides its promise for LCA, the virus-delivered gene replacement approach may be used to treat avariety of other retinal diseases including retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, Usher syndrome, andage-related macular degeneration. It is believed that the success of these studies in the U.S. and theU.K. can pave the way for many more treatments to save and restore vision in millions of people aroundthe world.

Harmony Gold Award and President of LionsClub International, made a historic landmarkgift of ten thousand dollars to fund the world'sfirst ever TheatreVision theater. He thenfollowed up on his amazing generosity with achallenge that lit a torch, by inviting others tomatch his gift. It happened, as an anonymousdonor went back stage, and met the challenge."The current plan is to begin developing onetheater at a time," Harris said, "and building anetwork of light upon the inspiring foundationcreated by the Lions Club."

Established in the late eighties, TheatreVisionbegan with the audio vision greeting cardscreated by Helen Harris. These cards werecreated so that blind people could read simpleholiday gift cards just as sighted people do.Later, Harris took this challenge to the highestlevel: the movies. With the aid of a sightedwriter, Helen Harris wrote the first-everdescription of a movie for theaters. Harris thenasked Vin Scully to make the audio recording.Scully agreed, and "Forrest Gump" went to thesilver screen on the Paramount lot, and CenturyEight Theater, in the first year. Harris recallsthat it was the beginning of new technology,which was brought forth by necessity. Sheasked, "If we don't do it, then who will?" As aresult of her efforts, today it is mandated that atleast four hours of television be produced andaudio described for the blind and vision

favorite family members out to live with himseveral years ago, and his proud grand parentswere noticeably touched as he thanked them onstage for their wonderful care in his youth. Theaffection between Ratner and his grandparentsdid not go unnoticed by Helen Harris , the blindfounder of RP International, and the co-producer of the evening's show. Helen namedthe moment in honor of Brett, and his love forhis grandparents. Says Harris, "this isnoteworthy because we live in a world filledwith children who might not have the time,room or patience for their elders, which is avirtue that has been slowly receding in ourmodern times."

Another special moment occurred when WesCraven shared memories, and reflected upon themeaning of his own eyesight. Craven discussedthe number of times that we use words like"see," "look" and "focus," in our dailyconversation, and related it to the epidemic 86million people who are now struggling againsteyesight loss around the world.

The highl ight of the evening was thepresentation of the Lifetime AchievementAward to the Blind Boys of Alabama by thelegendary Stevie Wonder. The Blind Boys ofAlabama, now in their sixth generation ofgospel and pop, represent an extraordinaryhistory of overcoming both blindness, andgrowing up in orphanages. Wonder wasclearly touched as he made the presentation.The Blind Boys then invited Wonder to comeback on stage to sing with them. The audiencejoined in the encouragment, and Stevie went onstage to perform with the Blind Boys. Six blindboys from Alabama, and sevensightless singers overall, rocked the HiltonBallroom. All received a standing ovation.

Other musical appearances throughout theevening included the Good Listeners, theInternational Children's Choir and the legendaryLes Brown Band, who provided musicalaccompaniment throughout the evening.

Jimmy Ross, winner of this year's Agrama

Helen and Dr. Keith Black

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2007 Eyes of ChristmasHosted By Army Archerd, Vin Scully, Bob Costas and Dr. Kerry Assil

“The Eyes of Christmas” includes celebrities’ greetings, music video from some of today’shottest musical artists, and the classic film, Charles Dickens’ Scrooge, audio described inTheatreVision™ for the blind, visually impaired, and fully sighted by veteran CBS newsanchor, Mario Machado. This year’s broadcast will air Christmas Eve Night, Monday,December 24th, nationwide on ION (formerly PAX) Media Networks, DirecTV, Dish Networkand KCOP 13 Los Angeles, to over 60 million homes.

The Holiday classic movie, It’s A Wonderful Life, audio described by former PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush on your SAP channel will be aired on NBC-TV nationwide,primetime, and on several dates in December.

Please visit www.EyesofChristmas.org and consider making a secure online charitydonation, or you may make a pledge to fight blindness by calling 1-800-FIGHT-RP.

Visually Handicapped Adults of the ValleyLocated at: 15520 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91406

Phone: (818) 992-0631 • Fax: (818) 992-3265The Visually Handicapped Adults of the Valley is a non-profit organization, managed by RPInternational since the 1990's. VHAV provides visually-challenged low to moderate incomeadults a safe and supportive haven where they receive training and education at no charge,on how to cope with the impairment of their sight. The activities provided include:

MACRAME NEWS/CURRENT EVENTS GROUP THERAPYPOTTERY MOBILITY TRAINING TRIVIA PURSUITCOOKING PHYSICAL THERAPY BRAILLE

Registration is on-going and classes are taught by credentialed teachers from the LosAngeles Unified School District. Hot lunch, morning beverages, pastries and snacks areprovided free, or at a nominal charge. Transportation coordinated at low cost through CityRide and Access.

Army Archerd Vin Scully Bob Costas Dr. Kerry Assil

Helen HarrisR.P. InternationalP.O Box 900Woodland Hills, CA 91365

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

FREE MATTERFOR

THE BLIND

Watch! Eyes of Christmas broadcast nationwide, Christmas Eve night 12 Midnight to 2 AM Pacificon Dish Network; 3 AM to 5 AM on KPXN-Los Angeles channels 21 and 30, WPXN-New York,

DirecTV and other ION Media stations. For specific times and channel locations in your area, visitwww.ionline.tv or contact RPI at 818-992-0631. Also, tune in “It’s A Wonderful Life” on NBC-TVnationwide, audio described by Former President George Bush on your television’s SAP channel.

EyesofChristmas.org • VisionAwards.org • 1-800-FIGHT-RP • rpint@pacbell.net

Laura Prepon

Army Archerd Stevie Wonder and The Blind Boys of Alabama Tia Carrere

Matthew Modine Robert Evans

anchor, Sam Rubin, who is popular for hisaccessible delivery, and trendy style. Rubin wasassisted by other celebrity presenters includingLynda Blair, Lou Diamond Phillips, Tia Carrere,C. Thomas Howell, Adrian Grenier, MatthewModine, January Jones, Laura Prepon, AngelaSun, Jack Coleman, Melora Hardin and NickStahl. The show brought the crowd of sixhundred twenty five to their feet more thanonce. An auction raised twenty five thousanddollars towards the first Mobility Scholarship tobe offered in 2008.

The evening's honorees included Katie Couric,Forest Whitaker, Andy Garcia, Brett Ratner,Wes Craven, Gary Michael Walters, and TommyNewman, along with doctors renowned for theircontributions to eye care. One of the evening'sspecial moments was a generation to generationtribute between Robert Evans and Brett Ratner.Ratner was obviously inspired, and joined thevision committee with enthusiasm as itapproaches it’s 35th Annual Show in 2008.The rising star brought his (continued on page 2)

Honorees and Participants at This Year'sVision Awards Included Katie Couric,

Forest Whitaker, Andy Garcia and Others,With Performances from Stevie Wonder and

The Blind Boys of Alabama

2007 Vision Awards Also Launched TheHollywood Adult Stem Cell Coalition

National Media Campaign, In Which TopStars Advocate Breakthrough Research andTreatments Which Restore Eyesight Using

Adult Stem Cell Technologies

The 34th annual Vision Awards© dinner andtaping, featuring live performances by StevieWonder and the Blind Boys of Alabama,showcased artists with over fifty AcademyAward nominations between them, and 25Academy Awards as a group. The magicalevening opened with the welcoming presence ofveteran columnist, Army Archerd, who has beenhosting the awards for more than 15 years. Thisyear's co-host was award winning KTLA

The NightLighter™ ©A Newsletter of RP International Fall 2007

Stevie Wonder and The Blind Boys of Alabama Performat the 34th Annual Vision Awards on June 16th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel

Stevie Wonder and Helen Harris

Jimmy Ross of Lions International

Linda Blair