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. 

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Fund the Future: Research, Awareness, and Support of Coats' Patients

Make a Difference Today! Fund the Future: Research, Awareness, and Support of Coats' Patients

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

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.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor (Download PDF)

  • 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.

    • 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?

    • 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?

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Way to go, Arkansas! Congratulations on becoming the 10th state to declare August 17 as Coats' Disease Awareness Day! #CoatsDiseaseAwareness #stateproclamations
What type of event are you planning for the new Connecting for a Cure Initiative? It's not too late to host your own event! On Saturday, August 19, Coats' families from around the world will gather together with their own family and friends in an e
On July 6, Louisiana became the ninth state to recognize Coats’ Disease Awareness! August 17 wasn’t enough for Louisiana, they gave us the whole month of August! THANK YOU LOUISIANA!
Today is the last day of the 2023 Cure Coats' 5K! You can still sign up and get that 5K in - its' not too late! Sign up here: https://bit.ly/2023CureCoats5K And don't forget to upload your photos to https://www.dropbox.com/request/SO3EVBJTkvMFove1
Way to go, Texas! We are so excited to share that Texas has joined the list of states that officially recognizes August 17 as Coats' Disease Awareness Day! Next up...New Mexico! Their proclamation is coming soon! If you are interested in getting
We are getting some great photo submissions from our Virtual 5Kers! Remember, you have until the end of Saturday to complete the 5K, so there is still time to sign up! If you haven't registered, you can do it today at https://bit.ly/2023CureCoats5K