Sight + Sound, Spring 2026
Shelly McDaniel lost her vision in 2024 because of optic nerve damage. Determined to understand what advances were being made in optic nerve regeneration, she and her husband John began researching leaders in the field.
“That search led us to the groundbreaking work at the Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration and Dr. Larry Benowitz’s research,” the couple said. In turn, that led them to the efforts of the Eye & Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh in supporting the Fox Center “and its collaboration with other optic nerve regeneration researchers worldwide.”
The couple has learned firsthand how urgent the need is for breakthroughs. The pioneering work in optic nerve regeneration inspired them to donate $500,000 to the Eye & Ear Foundation all the way from Jonestown, Texas.
“We are proud to invest in research that has the potential to restore vision and change lives for Shelly and so many others,” they said.
Shelly and John hope their donation advances research that brings the possibility of restored sight closer to reality. If their support can help move the science forward even a little faster, they feel it will be worth it.
“Our greatest hope is that this work will bring us closer to a future where vision loss from optic nerve damage is no longer permanent,” they said.