Welcome to View Point Toronto

Jump to: Welcome | Spotlight on FBC | Program | Meet the Speakers | Sponsors

WELCOME

Welcome, everyone, to View Point Toronto! Thank you for being here, for your support, and for being part of our vibrant and resilient community. We have an inspiring day ahead.

Our keynote speaker, Dr. David Gamm, is a world-renowned expert in stem cell therapies. Fighting Blindness Canada is proud to have supported his groundbreaking research, which has now advanced from the laboratory to a first-of-its-kind clinical trial testing a photoreceptor replacement cell therapy that aims to restore some vision for individuals with advanced retinal degeneration.

Following his keynote, Dr. Gamm will join a panel of clinician-scientists and community members to explore the ins and outs of participating in clinical trials—offering both scientific and personal perspectives. It promises to be an exciting and information-packed session.

This event wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Special thanks to our View Point Platinum Presenting Partner, Bayer; our Gold Partner, Roche; and our Silver Partners: Abbvie, Astellas, Beacon Therapeutics, Johnson & Johnson, and Specsavers. We’re also deeply grateful to our volunteers, staff, and Board of Directors —their dedication makes this work possible.

For more than 50 years, Fighting Blindness Canada has been shaping the future of vision research and eye health in Canada. Our mission is to bridge knowledge and hope — by funding, curating, and translating complex science into meaningful advances that lead to better treatments, cures, and trusted resources for those navigating vision loss.

To date, we’ve invested $42 million in world-class research and more than $5 million in community education and connection programs like View Point — programs that share the latest knowledge while creating spaces for connection and support.

At Fighting Blindness Canada, we don’t just hope for progress — we build it, alongside individuals, families, researchers, clinicians, advocates and the health care community. We’re proud of our history, but it’s the future we’re looking forward to — a future where blindness is no longer inevitable and answers are within everyone’s reach.

Thank you again for joining us. I’m excited about the conversations and connections we’ll share today.

With gratitude,

Jennifer Jones
President and CEO
Fighting Blindness Canada

Get Involved

VOLUNTEER WITH US! Interested in joining our dedicated community? Learn about volunteer opportunities at: info@fightingblindness.ca
Have questions about your eye health? FBC is here to support you. Contact our Health Information Line for information, resources and more. 1.888.626.2995 or healthinfo@fightingblindness.ca
Help protect sight. Every Month. Your monthly gift fuels life changing research and educational events. Become a monthly donor. Small gift, big impact. fightingblindness.ca/donate

View Point Toronto Program

Saturday, November 8, 2025
North York Central Library

View Point programming will be held in the Concourse Event Space on the Concourse level

9:30-10:00 a.m.: Registration & Refreshments
Join us for refreshments and networking. Seating is first come, first served.

10:00-10:10 a.m.: Opening Remarks
Welcome to View Point! Hear from Fighting Blindness Canada’s President & CEO, Jennifer Jones.

10:10-11:00 a.m.: Stem Cells & Regenerative Therapies for Retinal Disease
Discover how stem cell research is opening new possibilities for restoring sight. Ophthalmologist Dr. David Gamm will explain what stem cells are, how they may help repair the retina, and what it takes to turn promising research into real treatments. He’ll also share how his work has advanced into a groundbreaking clinical trial for retinal degeneration —bringing hope to people living with vision loss.

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: From Research to Reality: Conversations on Clinical Trials
Join a dynamic panel featuring leading ophthalmologists, and a community member sharing their personal experience with clinical research. Together, they’ll discuss the evolving landscape of clinical trials for vision loss: how new therapies move from the lab to patients, how researchers and doctors communicate about emerging treatments, and why patient participation is vital to progress. This engaging discussion will highlight the shared hope, challenges, and collaboration that drive innovation in eye health.

Meet The Speakers

Dr. David Gamm

Dr. David Gamm is the Director of the McPherson Eye Research Institute, the Trout Chair in Eye Research, and a Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2016 he founded Opsis Therapeutics, where he serves as Chief Scientific Officer. In his practice, Dr. Gamm diagnoses and treats pediatric eye disorders, while his research focuses on the use of human pluripotent stem cell technology for retinal disease modeling and cell replacement therapies.

Dr. Shaheer Aboubaker

Dr. Shaheer Aboobaker is a fellowship-trained retina specialist and Managing Partner at the Toronto Retina Institute. He is actively involved in clinical research, serving as an investigator in over 20 trials focused on innovative treatments. He also co-founded the Young Professionals Bursary to support disadvantaged students in South Africa.

DR. Robert Koenekoop

Dr. Robert Koenekoop is a Professor of Pediatric Surgery, Human Genetics, and Adult Ophthalmology at McGill University. As Principal Investigator at McGill and the Montreal Children’s Hospital, he leads seven clinical trials testing new gene and drug therapies for inherited retinal diseases. Over 25 years, Dr. Koenekoop has discovered 15+ genes linked to childhood blindness and is advancing promising new treatments.

Bernie Zinck

Bernie Zinck is a graduate of the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, is a private music instructor, bandleader, and multi-instrumentalist with over 40 years of guitar experience. Diagnosed with X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa at 16, he has been a strong advocate for accessibility in Kentville, Nova Scotia. Bernie has participated in a clinical trial and continues to share his journey with vision loss.

A Message From Our Partners

Informational graphic about age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The text reads:
“Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 55, affecting approximately 2.5 million Canadians. In AMD, your central vision is affected, making it harder to do activities like reading, driving, and distinguishing faces.”
Below, a note adds: “Adults without eye conditions aged 40–64 should have routine eye exams every 2 years. Adults aged 65 or older should have an annual eye exam.”
The background shows a person outdoors with a large blurred or darkened spot in the center of the image, representing central vision loss caused by AMD. Logos for Bayer and Innovative Medicines Canada appear at the bottom.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 55, affecting ~2.5 million Canadians

In AMD, your central vision is affected, making it harder to do activities like reading, driving and distinguishing faces.

Adults without eye conditions aged 40 —64 should have routine eye exams every 2 years. Adults aged 65 years or older should have an annual eye exam.

At Roche, we’re guided by the needs of people living with sight-limiting conditions.

That’s why we’re proud to offer an online resource hub dedicated to eye health and preparing people for their visit to their ophthalmologist.

Learn more at www.EyeHealthMatters.ca

View Point Partners

Thank you to all our sponsors! View Point is proudly supported by:

Platinum Present Partner: Bayer
Gold Partner: Roche
Silver Partners: AbbVie, Astellas, Beacon Therapeutics, Johnson & Johnson, and Specsavers.

Join the Fight!

Learn how your support is helping to bring a future without blindness into focus! Be the first to learn about the latest breakthroughs in vision research and events in your community by subscribing to our e-newsletter that lands in inboxes the beginning of each month.