Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation
Our mission is to raise funds to support research, raise awareness, expand patient resources, and offer all Coats’ Disease patients hope and improvements as they wage a lifelong battle against Coats’ Disease and blindness.
Make a Difference Today!
Fund the Future: Research, Awareness, and Support of Coats' Patients
Make a Difference Today! Fund the Future: Research, Awareness, and Support of Coats' Patients
Rare Disease Day
Feb. 28, 2025
The Jack McGovern Coats' Disease Foundation is proud to join forces with millions around the world living with a rare disease to celebrate Rare Disease Day®! Hosted on February 28, 2025, Rare Disease Day is an annual awareness day dedicated to elevating public understanding of rare diseases and calling attention to the special challenges people face.
Coats' Disease is a rare disease. There is no cure, but we are diligently working to change that! Your support will allow us to raise awareness among pediatricians and physicians to help them recognize the warning signs of Coats' Disease, leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses. The faster a patient is diagnosed, the greater the chance of saving their eyesight!
The Jack McGovern Coats' Disease Foundation is encouraging all Coats' Disease patients to use Rare Disease Day as a way to raise awareness of Coats' Disease and showcase how strong, determined, and brave Coats' patients are!
In addition, we are encouraging all Coats' patients to Share Their Story so that others don't feel alone in their rare disease journey.
How else can you help? Here are some additional ways to celebrate the many Coats' Warriors we strive to help:
Download the Photo Templates, add your Coats' patient image, and share on your social media!
Download customizable donation request templates and invite family and friends to join you in the efforts to find a cure.
Share Your Story so that we can help spread the word about each Coats' patient's journey with Coats' Disease
Make a Donation. Your donation today will help us fund additional research for a cure and improved treatments, raise awareness to enable earlier diagnoses, and support patients and their families during their lifelong journey with Coats' Disease.
Find a Rare Disease Day event near you!
The Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable Foundation that was established in 2006 by the parents of Jack McGovern as a promise to their son that they would never rest until there was a cure for Coats’ Disease.
Scientific Advisory Board
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Dr. Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD (Chair)
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Dr. Lejla Vajzovic, MD
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Dr. Michael Jumper, MD
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Dr. Sherri Van Everen, PharmD
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Dr. Thomas Lee, MD
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Dr. Franco Recchia, MD
FAQ
At the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation, we are often contacted by anxious parents or patients who are seeking information after receiving a diagnosis of Coats’ Disease. The questions below are provided as a resource to assist you as you and your doctor decide the best approach for treatment. These questions do not constitute any form of medical advice or diagnosis. Each patient is unique. An experienced retinal specialist who has examined the patient is the best source of information for diagnosis and treatment. We always recommend getting a second opinion.
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Ahead of any treatments or procedures, it is important to ask yourself and the doctor the following questions:
How do you know that this is Coats’ Disease?
Has your doctor treated other patients with Coats’ Disease?
Have you sought a second opinion? If not, please consult our Doctor Directory for knowledgeable doctors in your area.
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What Stage of Coats’ Disease is he/she in?
Will his/her vision get worse over time?
Will the eye have pain?
Will his/her eye start to turn out? Is muscle corrective surgery an option?
Are cataracts likely?
How likely is glaucoma? (due to retinal detachment)
Is there calcification?
What is the anticipated disease progression?
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Is there a thorough vision exam available?
Where is the vision affected? (central/peripheral/distance)
Does he/she have depth perception? (3D visibility)
What about the non-Coats’ eye?
To what extent is his/her vision affected?
Will we be able to use this as a baseline to measure progress/decline?
Find a Doctor
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