Lions Raise More Than US$200 Million to Save Sight
Bangkok, Thailand, June 26, 2008—Lions
Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and Lions around the world
have exceeded their campaign challenge goal of US$200 million
for their flagship, global blindness-prevention program,
SightFirst. Funds raised during Campaign SightFirst II (CSFII),
a three-year worldwide campaign operated by the international
charitable foundation, will save or restore the vision of more
than 37 million people around the world.
Led by 7,000 CSFII Lion volunteers, Lions surpassed their
initial US$150 million goal in February, four months in advance
of CSFII’s conclusion. During the final month of the campaign
alone, Lions raised more than US$20 million to surpass the
US$200 million challenge goal.
“The efforts of Lions worldwide over the last three years
makes me incredibly proud to be a Lion,” says Dr. Tae-Sup Lee,
Lions past international president and CSFII chairperson.
“Through CSFII, our role as ‘Knights of the Blind’ will continue
for years to come because of the dedication of our volunteers
and all of our donors. Most importantly, LCIF and Lions will be
able to continue to deliver the excellent services of the
SightFirst program and thereby ensure that millions of
individuals around the world are able to live with the gift of
sight.”
At least US$100 million of CSFII funds will be granted
through LCIF’s SightFirst program to contain and eliminate the
leading causes of avoidable blindness, including cataract, the
leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide.
Another US$50 million will be used to combat new and
emerging threats to sight, including diabetic retinopathy,
macular degeneration and low vision. The funds raised beyond the
US$150 million initial goal will make it possible for Lions to
fund research and rehabilitation initiatives in developed
countries. Lions’ goal is to provide “Vision for All.”
SightFirst was launched by Lions in 1989 to battle
preventable and reversible blindness. Lions estimate US$6 is the
average cost to save or restore a person’s sight through
SightFirst. Lions have already restored sight to more than 27
million people by funding cataract surgeries, vision screenings
and treatment, and improved eye-care services for hundreds of
millions of people in underserved areas in 91 countries around
the world. Lions have also built eye hospitals in developing
countries and trained eye health care workers where there were
previously none.
CSFII officially concluded during the 91st Annual Lions
Clubs International Convention in Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday,
June 26 when the final dollar amount raised was announced. More
than 18,000 Lions clubs members, including international media,
from around the world were present for this historic
announcement for LCIF.
LCIF's Greatest
Success—Lions exceed US$150 million CSFII goal!
For nearly three years, Lions like you have been
fighting preventable and reversible blindness by
supporting CSFII. As a result of these efforts, we
reached our minimum US$150 million goal in March 2008
and are actively raising funds to reach our challenge
goal of US$200 million. It is the additional efforts of
clubs such as yours that will determine just how
successful we will be.
The final US$50 million we raise will provide research,
rehabilitation and the opportunity to reach out to
vulnerable populations in your community and throughout
the developed world.
Funds raised today could support a major research
initiative that seeks to help people afflicted with
macular degeneration, provide vision care for people
with developmental disabilities or fund mobile
eye-screening units that offer services in inner cities.
The 91st International Convention in Bangkok will mark
the conclusion of CSFII. We thank you for what your club
has given to date, but the time has come for every club
to help achieve Lions’ “Vision for All.” Will your club
accept the challenge?
If you or your club has made a one-time gift to
the campaign, can you pledge to raise the same amount
for the next three years? If one member has made a
contribution to the campaign, can other members match
their donation?
Please ask your club to consider increasing its
commitment to CSFII and helping Lions reach their US$200
million "Vision for All" challenge goal. Do not be left
out of this opportunity to join CSFII's international
success and their fight against blindness.
All commitments are payable over a three-to-five year
period from the date the commitment is made. With just
four months remaining, the time to act is now. Remember,
the next person you may save from blindness could be
you.
Thank you
for all that you have done and will do for Campaign
SightFirst II!
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