Donor Spotlight: Arlene Anthony and Tom Bradshaw

Since our founding in 1978, Glaucoma Research Foundation has been fortunate to partner with visionary donors whose generosity and dedication have propelled our mission forward. Among these steadfast supporters, Arlene Anthony stands out for her extraordinary commitment to advancing glaucoma research and patient care.

For Arlene, the mission to cure glaucoma is deeply personal. As a longtime supporter of Glaucoma Research Foundation, her transformative giving has helped accelerate promising research and bring hope to millions affected by this sight-stealing disease.

In her early years, Arlene went through a frightening experience when diagnosed with glaucoma. With her vision in jeopardy, she visited the Glaucoma Center of San Francisco, and saw Andrew Iwach, MD, who recognized her dire situation and quickly diagnosed her glaucoma and other eye issues, effectively saving her vision. This interaction sparked a lifelong connection between Dr. Iwach, current Chair of Glaucoma Research Foundation’s Board of Directors, and Arlene which continues to this day.

Through Arlene’s desire to give back and show appreciation for her care, she has been a loyal donor for more than 25 years. In addition to her investment in the Catalyst for a Cure consortium, Arlene has supported our Shaffer Research Grants. These one-year grants of $55,000 provide much-needed funding for novel ideas, often sparking a researcher’s interest in focusing on glaucoma research.

In 2024, Arlene sponsored one scientist, Kevin Chan, PhD, from the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, and his study on the role of insulin resistance and aquaporin-4. Dr. Chan’s findings may indicate whether targeting insulin receptor signaling and water channel function in the eye and the visual pathway can be a therapeutic regimen for glaucoma.

Thomas Brunner, President and CEO of Glaucoma Research Foundation remarked, “We are incredibly honored to have Arlene’s enduring friendship and support. Her generous contributions this year allowed us to fund one more innovative idea that will broaden our understanding of glaucoma and may lead to new treatments. We are indebted to Arlene and her husband Tom, for their extraordinary investment in a future free from glaucoma.”

Arlene’s ongoing dedication demonstrates how one patient can make a difference by investing in the work of young researchers and innovative approaches to fighting glaucoma.

Pictured: Tom Bradshaw (left) and Arlene Anthony at a GRF event in San Francisco.

Article posted on December 16, 2024. Source: Glaucoma Research Foundation’s “Insight” donor newsletter, Fall 2024.