The Importance of Knowledge in Saving Sight

Sally Straus of Union receives a resolution from Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Vice Chairman Angel G. Estrada, with State Senator Joe Cryan and former State Senator Anthony E. Russo.
Credits: Jim Lowney/County of Union

Sally Straus of Union, New Jersey, was an office manager for a major perfume company in New York City before retiring to focus fulltime on volunteerism in her hometown. Her motto is "If it happens in Union, I am either in it, on it or know about it." 

Diagnosed with wet macular degeneration in 2015, Straus has been undergoing treatment by Dr. Vinod Voleti of NJ Retina, including eye injections and taking supplements that have stabilized the progression of the disease. Her advice is for those diagnosed with vision loss is, "Be prepared. Be your own advocate. Have a positive attitude and discover what resources are available, such as the BrightFocus Chats."

A supporter of Macular Degeneration Research, a program of BrightFocus Foundation, she is an active and loyal participant in the organization's monthly telephone discussions, which feature leading experts answering questions and providing helpful advice for living with vision loss. "I continue to be very impressed by the BrightFocus Chats.  They are a very informative and a wonderful resource.  I am getting excellent care from my retina specialist, but the Chats help with my comfort level."

Straus continues her community service for the Union Public Library Board of Trustees, Union Historical Society, local Veterans alliance, and Knights of Columbus among others. In 2014, she was honored by the Union Senior Center as its inaugural Senior Citizen of the Year.