In 2006, we discovered that our son Jack had developed a rare retinal disease in his left eye called Coats disease. We have since learned that some research has been conducted on the disease, but much, much more is needed.
Coats affects mostly boys in the first few decades of life and, if not detected early, can cause permanent and total vision loss, and in extreme cases, the loss of the eye. 
(Ashley Harper, another Coats patient, and Jack McGovern)
Jack’s Coats was discovered fairly early and medical treatments and procedures have limited his vision loss with the hope that some, and possibly all, of his vision will return as he gets older or with treatments still undiscovered.
Coats is a condition that Jack will have to monitor for the rest of his life.
Today Jack is a well adjusted teen who attends high school in San Francisco and loves to play football and lacrosse. With Jack’s support, we created the Jack McGovern Coats Disease Foundation with the purpose of raising funds for research and education about Coats and possible cures.
To date we have raised over $150,000 to provide grants to the San Francisco Retina Foundation to fund a conference of retinal specialists as well as to Dr. Michael Trese for his ground breaking research towards finding a cure. Today we seek those researchers and clinicians who will apply for a foundation grant to further their work towards helping those with Coats and seeking treatments and ultimately a cure for this blinding disease.
Thank you to all the friends and family who have helped so far.
You are very special to us all and especially Jack.
