e-Newsletter December 2024

We’re excited to invite you to an “Ask the Expert” webinar with Dr Roly Megaw, Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist at University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian, who is currently supervising a Retina UK / Macular Society PHD studentship and has received other Retina UK Research funding in the past.

Date: 17 December
Time: 7pm – 8pm
Platform: Online (Zoom)

Submit your questions in advance during registration, or bring them to the session to ask live in the Q&A box.

To register, visit our website: RetinaUK.org.uk/event/webinar-ask-the-expert-dr-roly-megaw/

Don’t miss this chance to connect with an expert and stay informed about the latest developments in retinal care. We look forward to seeing you there.

This Christmas, we are asking you to join Retina UK in supporting our exceptional scientists to continue carrying out their vital work in 2025 and beyond. By making a donation to our Gene Team appeal, you can help us advance the search for treatments sooner. Make a donation via our website or please call 01280 815900 to support Retina UK this winter. Your donations can help fund the following:

• £10 could pay for the primers required for the DNA analysis that detects disease causing mutations that result in RP.
• £50 could pay for one hour of super resolution microscope imaging that allows scientists to visualise, at an ultrastructural level, how light sensing photoreceptors are damaged in RP.
• £100 could pay for one PhD student for a day.

We are excited to announce the latest episode of the Retina UK Podcast, where we explore the incredible intersection of sight loss and dance. In this episode, we hear from two members of our community, Alan and Lucille, both passionate dancers who have embraced their vision loss to continue moving and expressing themselves through dance. We also discuss the journey of Chris McCausland, a comedian and advocate living with retinitis pigmentosa, who is currently in the final of Strictly Come Dancing!

This episode is a celebration of movement, resilience, and the power of self-expression, and we hope it will inspire everyone, whether you’re a dancer or just looking for ways to stay active.

The podcast will be available on our website this Friday!

We’re thrilled to announce a series of informative and inspiring webinars coming your way in 2025! Whether you’re living with sight loss, supporting someone with a retinal condition, or simply want to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements, our webinars are designed to provide expert insights, practical advice, and the opportunity to connect with others in the community.

Here’s a sneak peek of what you can look forward to:

• Hear about Mark Baxter’s time in Las Vegas where he visited the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
• Find out how you can get involved with fundraising.
• Genetic Testing: what to expect?
• Hear how our #TeamRetinaUK marathon runners are preparing.

Have you stocked up on your Christmas cards yet? Our festive range includes two cards that were designed by members of our community. We’ve also got personalised Christmas baubles on sale this year. As well as our Christmas range, we’ve recently introduced some new products to our online shop, including Lifemax Limited watches, The Blind Baker’s debut recipe book, caps, pens, mugs and notebooks. Visit our online shop today!

Is 2025 the year that you challenge yourself and take on a challenge for 2025? Whatever the challenge – from walks, to runs, to skydives, to swims and lots more – we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Join #TeamRetinaUK in 2025 and find out more on our website.

Please find our Peer Support Group save the dates for the New Year – More information will also be available on our Events page soon.

• National Peer Support Group – Thursday 16 January – 7pm to 8pm – Online – Please come along to hear from our guest speaker Andrew Palmer from V.I Safety who will chat about his organisation and share some useful products to keep us illuminated and safe while out and about at night.
• Men’s Peer Support Group – Tuesday 21 January – 7pm to 8.30pm – Online – We are delighted to welcome our guest speaker Jack Moffat, Engagement Manager North-East for the Thomas Pocklington Trust, who will chat about how we can manage our physical and mental wellbeing.
• ‘Talking’ Tech Peer Support Group – Tuesday 28 January – 7pm to 8pm – Online – We are pleased to be joined by British Wireless for the Blind to talk about their charitable organisation and they work they do to support the visually impaired.
• Sheffield Peer Support Group (West Yorkshire) – Saturday 1 February – 2pm to 4pm – In-person – Come and join Retina UK’s James Clarke for the re-launch of our West Yorkshire peer support group at Grappa in Sheffield where we are pleased to be joined by Sheffield Society for the Blind.
• Young Adults Peer Support Group Winter Social – Thursday 6 February – 7pm to 8pm – Online – Please come along and catch up with the group and the team at Retina UK to share your thoughts and feedback for group activity in 2025.
• ‘Talking’ Home & Garden Peer Support Group – Date TBC – Please register your interest if you would like to join us to share your tips, hints, stories and experiences around all things home & garden.

Did you know that we have our own Retina UK Lottery, where you could be in with a chance of winning £25,000 every single week for as little as £1 a line? What would you spend £25,000 on? You could start 2025 off with a bang and support Retina UK at the same time! Sign up to play our Lottery today.