Tommy runs London marathon after raising funds for a new treatment
Fight for Sight supporter, Tommy Salisbury, with his family, has raised over half a million pounds to develop a new treatment for his rare eye condition. He is currently training for the London marathon to raise more funds for vital eye research.
Tommy, who turned 18 last year, will be joining sixteen runners taking part in the world famous running event for Fight for Sight.
At the age of four, Tommy was diagnosed with a genetic condition called choroideremia, which leads to progressive sight loss. Until now there has been no treatment, but thanks to the tireless efforts of Tommy, his family and other supporters, research funded by Fight for Sight (through the Tommy Salisbury Fund) has resulted in clinical trials for a gene therapy treatment that is already helping to halt the disease and restore sight.
Tommy Salisbury said: "My family and I know the power of fundraising and research to bring about new treatments and make a difference for people with sight loss which is why I am running the marathon this year. I have supported people on the other side of the fence for so many years and now that I am 18 I wanted it to be my turn. I am so grateful to have my friends running with me who have been there since the start of this journey. It’s only through research that we will find a breakthrough for my condition and others."
Tommy will be raising money to support eye research that could lead to the next breakthrough for sight loss conditions like choroideremia and others including glaucoma and macular degeneration. There are currently over two million people living with sight loss in the UK.
Ed Jackson, events manager at Fight for Sight, said: “A huge thank you to Tommy and to all of our runners for 2019. We know that sight loss doesn’t have to be inevitable - it’s through our fantastic supporters raising money for research that we will find the next breakthrough. You can start applying now for 2020 marathon places or why not download our free virtual running app to go on a journey to the centre of the eye.”
Find out more information about our challenge events in 2019 or apply for a marathon place for 2020.