e-Newsletter December 2025

This winter, and during our 50th anniversary year, we’re asking you to join forces with Retina UK so that together, we can foster hope for a happier tomorrow for the thousands of people across the UK who are living with inherited sight loss. Your generous donations this Christmas will help us accelerate the search for treatments, whilst also providing support to those who need us most.

Make an impactful donation today. If you would like to make a quick, easy and generous donation right now, please text ANNIVERSARY to 70560 to donate £10 to Retina UK.

Our colleagues at Genetic Alliance UK are running a survey to explore what equity in healthcare means for people living with rare conditions, and they need your help. As part of their Rare Disease Day 2026 campaign, they want to hear about real experiences of accessing healthcare and whether those experiences have felt fair or unfair.

Your insights will directly shape their campaign messaging and help them create resources that reflect the genuine challenges faced by individuals and the wider rare disease community. They’re keen to hear from as many voices as possible, including people living with rare, genetic or undiagnosed conditions, carers, family members, healthcare professionals, researchers and anyone else connected to rare conditions.

The survey closes at 17:00 on Tuesday 6 January 2026, so please don’t delay. Visit the Genetic Alliance UK website to complete the survey and then share it widely with your networks through email, newsletters and social media. Your contribution will help ensure the campaign amplifies the experiences and needs of our community.

If you’re interested in catching up on the latest progress in research remember to visit the Research News area of our website, where you’ll find articles on clinical trials and other exciting developments from around the world: News – Retina UK

Recent stories include updates from Stargardt disease and Best disease trials, plus the latest on Sparing Vision’s progress in preserving central vision in RP.

Next summer, Retina UK will be hosting a spectacular gala dinner as the grand finale to our 50^th anniversary year – and you’re invited. Join us on Saturday, 6 June 2026 at the Hilton on Park Lane in London for a truly unforgettable evening and the culmination of our special year. Find out more and buy your tickets.

We’re delighted to share that our BBC Lifeline Appeal film is now available to watch on our YouTube channel. If you missed the broadcast, or would like to watch it again, you can now view the full appeal at your convenience. You can head to our YouTube channel to watch here.

Thank you once again to everyone who took part and helped bring these powerful stories to life.

Our remaining Christmas cards, which are now discounted, are still on sale! Visit our shop to purchase yours and spread some festive joy this winter, whilst supporting Retina UK too.

Men’s Peer Support Group
Tuesday 16 December – 7pm to 8.30pm – Online
Come and join us for a festive Men’s Peer Support Group online social catch up and our last meeting of the year.

Women’s Peer Support Group
Wednesday 17 December – 7pm to 8pm – Online
Please come and join facilitators Danielle & Perm for a festive Women’s Peer Support Group and our last social catch up of the year.

For more information and to be kept up to date with peer support group activity please visit the Events page on our website – https://retinauk.org.uk/information-and-support/services/local-peer-support-groups/

Want to start 2026 off with a big win? For just £1 a line, you could be in with the chance of winning up to £25,000 every Friday through our Retina UK Lottery! We’ve created 38 winners so far and you could be next. What would you spend your winnings on?

Sign up today and support our vital work.

As we wrap up the year, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you. Whether you joined a challenge event, supported our appeals, attended a conference, or engaged with us on social media, your involvement truly makes a difference. Thank you for your incredible support in 2025.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New year!