The Susan Greenberg Foundation, in partnership with the Sanford and Susan Greenberg Center to End Blindness, represents a transformative initiative aimed at eradicating blindness. This foundation, rooted in personal commitment and groundbreaking research, is poised to make significant strides in vision science and public health. This article explores the foundation’s origins, mission, key initiatives, and prospects.
Origins and Inspiration
The foundation’s inception is deeply personal and inspirational. Sanford Sandy Greenberg, who lost his sight as a college student, vowed to dedicate his life to ending blindness. This promise, driven by personal hardship and the encouragement of influential figures like Jonas Salk, creator of the polio vaccine, has shaped the foundation’s mission to eliminate blindness for everyone permanently.
Greenberg’s journey began when he lost his vision at the age of 19. While recovering in a Detroit hospital, he made a tikkun olam—a sacred vow in his Jewish faith—to do everything in his power to ensure that no one else would have to endure blindness. This commitment has guided his actions and inspired the establishment of the foundation​​.
Establishment of the Greenberg Center
In October 2021, the Sanford and Susan Greenberg Center to End Blindness was established in partnership with Johns Hopkins University’s Wilmer Eye Institute. This center is the world’s only facility solely dedicated to ending blindness, a testament to the Greenbergs’ commitment and vision​.
The Greenberg Center focuses on pioneering research across various disciplines within ophthalmology, including genetics, molecular biology, and the optic nervous system. By bringing together leading researchers and facilities, the center aims to foster innovative solutions to combat vision loss​.
Key Initiatives and Achievements
Rising Professorships
One of the center’s notable initiatives is the creation of Rising Professorships. These positions provide young scientists with the resources and support needed to pursue high-risk, high-reward research projects. Each professorship offers up to seven years of funding, allowing researchers to focus on innovative approaches to ending blindness without the constraints of traditional grant cycles​.
The Greenberg Prize
In 2012, the Greenbergs launched the End Blindness 2020 campaign, which included the Greenberg Prize. This prize awards $3 million to leading researchers in ophthalmology, supporting their efforts to develop groundbreaking treatments and technologies. The 2020 ceremony honored 13 recipients, highlighting the global impact and collaborative nature of this initiative​.
Research and Development
The foundation’s support extends to various cutting-edge research areas, including artificial retinas, gene editing tools like CRISPR, and regenerative medicine. These technologies hold the potential to halt the progression of vision loss and restore sight to those who have lost it​.
Mentorship and Grant Writing Support
Recognizing the challenges young researchers face, the Greenberg Center also provides mentorship and grant writing support. This assistance helps emerging scientists secure competitive federal research grants much earlier in their careers, accelerating the development of innovative solutions to blindness​​.
Impact and Community Engagement
The foundation’s work extends beyond research labs and into communities affected by vision loss. Through various outreach programs and partnerships, the Greenberg Center aims to raise awareness about blindness and promote inclusive policies that support those with visual impairments.
Public Service and Advocacy
Sandy Greenberg’s commitment to public service is evident in his past roles, including chairing the federal government’s Rural Health Care Program and serving on the National Science Board. These experiences underscore the foundation’s broader mission to improve healthcare access and quality for all, particularly in underserved communities​.
Future Prospects
The future of the Susan Greenberg Foundation looks promising. With plans to raise a $100 million endowment, the foundation aims to ensure the sustainability of its initiatives and expand its impact. By fostering a new generation of vision scientists and supporting transformative research, the foundation is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious goal of ending blindness​.
Goals and Ambitions
Greenberg’s ultimate goal is to deploy an endowment of $100 million to support the careers of young researchers who have the potential to make significant strides in the field of vision science. The foundation is well on its way to achieving this target, thanks to the support of donors and the dedication of the Greenbergs and their team​.
The Rising Professorships, set to be awarded to promising young researchers, are a critical component of this strategy. These positions will provide the necessary resources and support to help these scientists launch their careers and pursue innovative research projects aimed at ending blindness​.
Conclusion
The Susan Greenberg Foundation embodies a bold and compassionate vision to end blindness. Through strategic partnerships, innovative research, and dedicated support for young scientists, the foundation is making significant strides toward a future where no one has to suffer from vision loss. The Greenbergs’ commitment and the foundation’s groundbreaking initiatives serve as an inspiration to all, demonstrating the power of perseverance and philanthropy in driving social change.
As the foundation continues to grow and evolve, it remains a beacon of hope for millions of people around the world. Its work not only addresses a critical health issue but also exemplifies the profound impact of visionary leadership and dedicated community support.
The journey of the Susan Greenberg Foundation, driven by Sandy Greenberg’s unwavering commitment to ending blindness, is a testament to what can be achieved through determination and collaborative effort. By supporting groundbreaking research and fostering the next generation of vision scientists, the foundation is paving the way for a future where blindness is a thing of the past.