(http://www.PreserveMacForte.com) Many people have lent their support to combating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease that can lead to blindness.
While many of these people do their part while getting no recognition, others are sometimes recognized for their efforts to shed light on, or find a cure for, AMD.
One of these champions, Rita Hazeldine of Nottingham, England, is in the running for a national award due to her commitment to assisting seeing-impaired persons who are battling with this ailment, according to the Nottingham Post on July 14.
As a result of her tireless efforts to help those with AMD, Hazeldine is in the running for the Chairman’s Award for Volunteering as part of the society’s 25th anniversary extravaganza slated to take place later this year.
According to the article, Hazeldine not only writes a quarterly publication to help AMD sufferers, but also helps out the Macular Disease Society.
AMD, the leading cause of seeing-impairment in the UK, leads to central vision loss, according to the article. It’s a condition that tends to impact the elderly.
Hazeldine was cited in the article as saying that she was “surprised” to be nominated for an award. She added that she was encouraged that someone had felt strongly enough about her contribution to nominate her. Discussing how she got involved in AMD work, she explained that, as a retiree, she was seeking out “voluntary work.” She later attended one of the society’s “committee meetings,” at which point the magazine issue was brought up. She thought that the magazine project was something she could take on. And the rest, as they say, is history. Award recipients will be revealed in September.
While there is no known cure for AMD, there are things people can do to slow down its progression. Better yet, there are things people can do to reduce, if not entirely eliminate, the possibility of getting the eye condition in the first place. Prevention is better than cure, after all. Tips include avoiding smoking, eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, consuming liberal amounts of leafy green vegetables and fruits, avoiding obesity, and exercising regularly.