By Maria Duran
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, music business sophomore Tone Guerrero is raising awareness around campus.
Retinitis pigmentosa or RP is a group of inherited diseases causing retinal degeneration in which people experience a gradual decline in vision when rods and cones die.
Guerrero said it was overwhelming hearing he would never be able to drive, would slowly lose eyesight, and there is no cure. So Guerero wants everyone to put on walking shoes or sixth annual San Antonio VisionWalk March 22.
The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a national nonprofit and private source for retinal disease research funding, is sponsoring the 5K walk, which will begin at City of Olmos Park Gun Club at 928 E. Contour Drive. The walk is to increase awareness and help raise money for research, prevention, treatments and cures for blindness.
“That’s why it’s so important to me,” Guerrero said, adding that even though he is legally blind, “It’s not about me; it’s about the research and supporting the foundation.”
Guerrero has visited the Methodist Student Center, the Catholic Student Association, and the Campus Activity Board to publicize the walk.
Jacob-Aidan Martinez, assistant coordinator of student leadership and activities and adviser of the Campus Activity Board, volunteered along with six CAB members, to walk.
The San Antonio VisionWalk is free and open to the public, but donations are welcome. Registration continues until 8:30 a.m. before the walk at 9:30 a.m. A free lunch and entertainment at the gun club follow.
For more information, visit www.FightBlindness.org/SanAntonioVisionWalk.
