RP International benefit "The Eyes of Christmas" to be telecast to 160 million homes

The 15th annual "Eyes of Christmas" presentation is being telecast over multiple broadcasts, cable and satellite networks, as well as the Internet, to 160 million homes this year. Participating stars and other notables include Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, Reba McIntyre, Sandra Bullock, Tom Hanks, Nicole Kidman, Bob Costas, and Natalie Cole.

Former President George Herbert Walker Bush kicks off the yuletide celebration with his audio track descriptive narration of the Frank Capra holiday classic, "It's A Wonderful Life," broadcast on NBC December 24th. The President's dramatic audio description of the much-loved film on TheatreVision(TM) is an optional, simulcast available on the SAP channel. "The Eyes of Christmas" telecast benefits RP International, the nation's leading non-profit fighting RP (Retinitis Pigmentosa) and other degenerative eye diseases. The telecast will also be available for viewing via RP International's web site, www.eyesofchristmas.org.

"The Eyes of Christmas" is the brainchild of blind activist and RP International founder Helen Harris. Mrs. Harris has partnered with many of the biggest stars and movie studios to produce described-for-the-blind TheatreVision(TM) versions of major films including James Cameron's "Titanic." Cameron described his megahit for TheatreVision and sat with Ms. Harris and President Bush for a TheatreVision screening of "Titanic."

Ms. Harris invites sighted viewers to tune into "The Eyes of Christmas" broadcast this holiday season and take the "traveling eye test." This simple visual test is designed to help people spot possible signs of eye disorders to seek early diagnosis and treatment, possibly averting vision loss.