Why the World Needs CSFII

SightFirst has been extraordinarily effective but Lions' "Vision for All" has not been realized. The growth and aging of the world's population pose new challenges. Changing patterns of eye disease, barely discernable when SightFirst began, have become serious threats to sight all across the world.

Cataract, a disease closely tied to aging, remains the world's leading cause of blindness.

Today, more children than ever before suffer from blindness or low vision.

River blindness and trachoma, which take the sight of millions, can be controlled, but increased global awareness and funding are required.

Diabetes and glaucoma silently stalk the vision of millions who may not even know that they are at risk.

The SightFirst approach is a three-part strategy to halt and roll-back this onslaught. The goals of Campaign SightFirst II reflect this plan.

                          Goal 1 - US$100 million to contain and eliminate where possible the leading causes of avoidable blindness.

                          Goal 2 - US$50 million to combat emerging threats to sight.

                          Goal 3 - US$50 million as a "challenge goal" to provide "Vision for All" through research, rehabilitation and reaching-out

                                        to vulnerable populations.

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Lions of the United States and LCIF

Since it was founded in 1968, Lions Clubs International Foundation has provided funding in the form of grants to financially assist Lions districts with humanitarian projects that are too large for Lions to finance on their own.  LCIF is truly Lions helping Lions,

 

LCIF and the Lions of the United States have had a long-standing relationship.  In addition to SightFirst projects, LCIF has responded to other needs in the United States.   For example, LCIF has provided grants to Lions Quest, Opening Eyes with Special Olympics and the Children's Eye Photoscreening Program through Core 4 grants.  LCIF also provides immediate assistance following natural disasters, including mor than $5 million for Hurricane Katrine Relief.

 

 

Campaign SightFirst II seeks to raise a minimum of $150 million by June 2008 to prevent a catastrophic increase in the world's blind population:

 

        Goal I >  Control and eliminate major causes of blindness - $102 million.

 

        Goal II >    Combat emerging threats to sight - $48 million.

                           

                TOTAL MINIMUM GOAL:   $150 million

                           

 

        Goal III >    Provide "Vision for All" - $50 million Challenge.

 

                TOTAL CHALLENGE GOAL:    $200 million

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SPOTLIGHT ON SIGHTFIRST IN THE U. S. A.

 

 

Uncorrected Refrative Error = In the USA, 78% of visual impairment is caused by uncorrected refractive error (URE), such as nearsightedness and farsightedness.  Furthermore, 37% of children in inner cities need eyeglasses and 67% do not have them.*

Recently, a $2 million SightFirst grant was awarded in the USA for further development of a program to address the URE need by providing new, customized eyeglasses to the underprivileged.

        *According to the National Eye Institute

 

Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP) = The Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP) was instituted in the United States as a community-based public awareness initiative that allows Lions clubs, community organizations, businesses and individuals to promote eye health.  The LEHP mission is to prevent vision loss by encouraging the early detection and timnely treatment of diabetic eye disease, glaucoma and low vision.

 

Currently, there are 2,800 Lions clubs in 32 states participating in LEHP.  CSFII will enable Lions to expand their efforts through LEHP and bring further value to the promotion of eye health.

 

Low-Vision Services = Millions of people in the USA suffer from low vision and many do not receive the resources and assistive devices they need.

 

Campaign SightFirst II will help bring low-vision rehabilitation to the forefront by training low-vision specialists and creating Lions low-vision clinics and resource centers where no services exist today.

 

                                                                                                              

        Normal Vision                                              Glaucoma                                                                       Diabetic Retinopathy 

 

 

                                   

 LCIF partners with Special                           Glaucoma Screening                              Childrens Eye Care                                                 Olympics - provides free vision

screening, glasses and sports

goggles.

 

 

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 Gifts of US$1,000+ are eligible for a Melvin Jones Fellowship.

All gifts of US$100+ are eligible for Campaign SightFirst II recognition.

Pledges of US$5,000+ may be fulfilled over five years.

Pledges of US$4,999 and below may be fulfilled over three years.

Why Not make your own PERSONAL contribution of $200 or

             why not become a Melvin Jones Fellow - $100.00 down and $300.00 a year for 3 years.

 (Don't forget - this is TAX Deductable)

 

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What is your commitment?