FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Hope For Vision volunteer one of twelve finalists in American Eagle Outfitters essay competition.

North Miami, Florida, March 16, 2006 -Hope For Vision volunteer Arielle Chikovsky was chosen from 20,000 entries as one of twelve finalists in the American Eagle Outfitters Live Your Life Contest. The essay competition, sponsored by American Eagle Outfitters, features a $25,000 prize for the winner. Should Arielle be selected by online voters at www.ae.com, she has promised to donate the money to Hope For Vision.

Arielle currently is fighting against her own disease, Ushers Syndrome, that reduces her ability to see and hear. A graduate of law school, she has begun to dedicate her life to the cause of ending blindness and deafness. With the effort of Hope For Vision, Arielle has found new hope for the success of programs looking for a cure. Supporters of Hope For Vision can go to www.ae.com and vote for Arielle as well as read her essays from March 17th through March 22nd.

Hope For Vision is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of retinal degenerative and other blinding diseases, to providing information and community tools to help those coping with vision loss, and to developing the tools required to support a grassroots movement to raise urgently needed funding for scientific research. Through their efforts, and volunteers like Arielle, Hope For Vision is helping to raise awareness of retinal degenerative diseases and bring renewed hope for a cure. Top entertainers are joining together at the North Miami Beach Theater of the Performing Arts at 17011 NE 19th Avenue on Monday, April 24th at 7:30pm to benefit Hope For Vision.

For information about the event and the Hope For Vision, Live! and how you can help, go to www.HopeForVisionLive.com or call 305-989-8032

About HOPE FOR VISION
Hope For Vision is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of retinal degenerative and other blinding diseases, to providing information and community tools to help those coping with vision loss, and to developing the tools required to support a grassroots movement to raise urgently needed funding for scientific research. More information can be found at www.HopeForVision.org or www.HopeForVisionLive.com for information about the show.