“Dining in the Dark” Raises Funds For Foundation

Google founder Sergey Brin sported his new futuristic glasses, but that couldn’t help him find the waiter, or in that case anything in the pitch black dining room at this year’s “Dinner in the Dark” fundraiser for the Foundation Fighting Blindness in San Francisco.

For 30 minutes, the 380 guests experienced what it was like to have no sight while fumbling with forks and knives, cautiously taking bites of their food.  Only using the senses: touch, smell and sound, they get to know first hand what its like to be blind.

A night vision camera would have been interesting to watch afterwards, as waiters carefully avoided tables and balanced dishes through the darkened room.  Fortunately for them, these waiters are trained in “dining in the dark” events so guests didn’t have to worry about getting full plates spilled on their heads.

To say the April 5 event was a success is an understatement, along with the blackout dinner, guests enjoyed a silent auction that raised $712,000 towards the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Also, the Foundation honored Anne Wojcicki, CEO and co-founder of DNA biotech company 23andMe, and Genentech Ophthalmology Vice President Dr. Anthony P. Adamis.  Both were have fought to treat and fight eye disease.

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Source: SF Gate