We invite you to join us in supporting macular degeneration research, education, awareness, and advocacy by contributing to the 2nd Annual Palmina Gioioso Memorial Fundraiser in honor of our mother, who endured significant vision loss due to macular degeneration.

In partnership with The American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF), we established this fundraiser to honor our beloved mother, Palmina Gioioso, who passed away in May 2020 at the age of 89, just six days after her husband, John Sr., both succumbing to COVID-19.

Words cannot fully convey the strength of our mother, but despite this strength, she truly struggled with vision loss from macular degeneration, especially during the final decade of her life. As her vision deteriorated, our father had to become her eyes, assisting her with everyday tasks that many people take for granted. She also endured other health issues, including chronic back pain, stomach ailments, and hearing loss. Through these challenges, she found solace in her favorite activities—watching television, reading romance novels, solving word puzzles, coloring, and cherishing interactions with others, particularly with her grandchildren. But vision loss began to rob her of these favorite activities.

Witnessing the decline in her quality of life due to macular degeneration was heart-wrenching for our family. Nevertheless, she maintained a positive outlook and love for her family.

Her indomitable spirit and sincere concern for the well-being of others inspired us to collaborate with AMDF to establish the Palmina Gioioso / AMDF Young Investigator Leadership Fund in 2021, granting annual awards to young research scientists to explore innovative ideas in the fight against AMD. Much like how our mother always showed up to support family members during significant moments, this award will come as a delightful surprise to its recipient, selected by a senior AMD researcher recognizing promise and dedication in the nominee.

Then, our inaugural Palmina Gioioso Memorial Fundraiser in 2022 successfully raised over $7,000. In tribute to our mother, we decided to fund the creation of a video series designed to assist individuals with vision loss in carrying out everyday tasks and to educate them about available tools. The series also aims to increase awareness of Low Vision Rehabilitation—a service we wish our mother had known about. The series was launched 10 months ago, and to date, has reached nearly 10,000 people! One of the more popular video in the series has reached nearly 3,000 people.

As a family, we want to continue to do more to help those afflicted with macular degeneration. You can help! Your generous contribution today will support the production of a new low vision rehabilitation patient story film created by the same filmmaker who produced AMDF's award-winning documentary, "Losing Sight, Finding Hope." Our goal is to raise $5,000, and AMDF will match up to $5,000 to produce a new short film.

Thank you so much!

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AMDF is a patient-centric foundation committed to supporting advanced macular degeneration (AMD) research, education, and advocacy, aiming to enhance the quality of life and treatment outcomes for those affected by AMD.

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Palmina Gioioso AMD Memorial Fundraiser

Supporting The American Macular Degeneration Foundation. Please join us in supporting AMD research, education and advocacy in honor of our beloved mother, Palmina Gioioso. Your gift means so much!

Team Members