Mystic — Dr. Jean Bennett, a University of Pennsylvania researcher who is working to cure blindness, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Dinner in the Dark event to benefit local charity Sofia Sees Hope. 

Sofia Sees Hope is a Ledyard-based patient advocacy organization dedicated to raising awareness, providing patient support and raising funds for diagnosis, treatments and cures for blindness caused by rare inherited retinal disease. 

Its third annual Dinner in the Dark will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa. The evening will include a live auction, music by The Cartells and a short talk by Dr. Bennett.

In her research, she focuses on the molecular genetics of inherited retinal dystrophies and works to develop approaches for treatment of these diseases and reversal of sensory loss. She was one of the first investigators to use viral vectors to deliver transgenes to specific cells in the retina, according to a news release from Sophia Sees Hope. She also led the first team to demonstrate preclinical proof-of-principle of ocular gene therapy.

Lisa Carberg of A/Z Construction and Michael O'Farrell of Lawrence + Memorial Hospital are the hosts for the Dinner in the Dark. The cocktail reception will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m.

During the Dinner in the Dark, guest will come to understand the organization's mission through a unique culinary experience. Money raised from the event will go toward research into rare retinal disease. In its first two years, Dinner in the Dark raised more than $130,000. Although the event is sold out, the organization has opened a waiting list. Additional seats will be released at www.sofiaseeshope.org as they become available.