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2008 Black Expo: Focus on Eye Health
On July 19th and 20th, Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) participated in the 2008 Black Expo. GRF President and CEO Thomas M. Brunner, joining the vision screening volunteers in GRF’s booth said, “The Glaucoma Research Foundation is proud to be an integral partner in the largest African American event in Northern California, and we are grateful to its producer, Dr. Diane Howell, for creating access to glaucoma awareness as part of the 2008 Black Expo.”
Black Expo brings individuals of all ages from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area together for two days at the Oakland Convention Center to meet old friends, make new ones, and gain useful information to improve and enhance their lives throughout the year.
Physician volunteers lending a professional hand to the vision screenings at the Glaucoma Research Foundation booth included Terri Pickering, MD of San Francisco and Sonja Schluter, MD of Sonoma. Additional GRF volunteers generously giving their time for the weekend were Vickie Ureste, Toni Schneller, Frederick L. Moore, PhD, and GRF Board members Michael L. Penn, Sr., Bill Stewart, and June Behrendt.
Commenting on the activity around the vision screenings, Roger Martin, whose screening support was underwritten by Allergan, said: “Today the majority of people had not seen an eye care specialist in over two years. The number of ‘at risk’ individuals uncovered in this screening is higher than average for a screening of this size.” Sixty-eight individuals were screened for glaucoma; thirty-five percent were identified as needing more comprehensive eye exam services.
Along with the screenings, GRF staff and volunteers handed out educational materials and answered questions about how glaucoma affects African Americans, a high risk group in whom the disease strikes more frequently and earlier in life.
Citigroup, a generous supporter of GRF’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Glaucoma Awareness Initiative, is a long-term participant and supporter of the Black Expo. Event producer C. Diane Howell, PhD is a member of GRF’s HBCU Leadership Committee. GRF staff member E. Carmen Torres coordinated the project.