Appointment aims to educate about preventable blindness

Macular Degeneration New Zealand (MDNZ) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new General Manager. Jeanine Gribbin, who has more than 10 years experience in the not-for-profit sector, hopes to use her newly created position to raise awareness of eye health and its prevention.

Ms Gribbin has extensive experience in fundraising, business management and strategic development and will lead the fundraising activity and operational management of MDNZ.

“My concern at the dreadful statistics around preventable eye health is what motivated me to take on this role.

“Macular Degeneration is the major cause of blindness in the over 50s and as our population ages we’re seeing increasing numbers of Kiwis with sight loss. Not many people know that with appropriate treatment much of this is preventable,” she says.

“I’m excited to be joining the passionate people at MDNZ to further educate New Zealanders. I hope to make a difference, not only to the statistics, but to people’s lives.”

MDNZ Chair Dr Dianne Sharp hopes that Ms Gribbin’s appointment will help the organisation develop further and achieve the targets set out in its strategic plan.

“When we began in 2009 we developed a three year strategic plan based on five major objectives: Awareness, Education, Support, Research and Representation.

“With Jeanine’s experience and passion we are in a much better place to achieve our remaining goals,” says Dr Sharp.

MDNZ was formed as a charitable trust in January 2009 to increase awareness and reduce the incidence of Macular Degeneration (MD) in New Zealand. Approximately one person in three in New Zealand over the age of 80 years and about one in seven over the age of 50 years, are affected by MD.