Blahnik Eye Group
Golden, CO, October 10, 2011- Optometry Giving Sight reports that a record number of eye care professionals, optical companies and optometry schools across the US and Canada have signed up for the World Sight Day Challenge. Practices, companies and universities taking the Challenge will raise funds for people with refractive error blindness and impaired vision on World Sight Day, October 13th.
The World Sight Day Challenge invites all members of the optical community to show their support by making a donation to Optometry Giving Sight on or around World Sight Day. Funds raised will support the establishment of sustainable vision care services for people in need in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Funds are also earmarked to help disadvantaged people in the US and Canada.
“We have been delighted that so many OD’s, optical businesses, optometry students and staff members are taking the Challenge this year”, said Dr. Mary Anne Murphy, Chairperson of Optometry Giving Sight. “It’s easy to do and is a great way to raise the profile of optometry in our communities, as well as Blahnik Eye Center staff members highlighting the important role we have at home and abroad in supportfor the World Sight show their caring of people’s vision,” she said. Dr. Murphy said she was humbled by the support of Blahnik of Port Orange, FL who will donate her eye exam fees one day during October and whose staff has been busy raising funds for the Challenge (see photo). The practice is decorated with donation coupons designed by staff members. For each $5 donation, patients sign a coupon that reads “You make a difference at Blahnik Eye Center”.
Other networks and practices have established team fundraising pages on the Optometry Giving Sight website and are reaching out to their colleagues, friends, and patients to make small donations to help them reach their fundraising goals.
“I have been delighted by the response I have received from my patients,” said Dr. Moes Nasser from Texas, who has just returned from a visit to Tanzania to see how funds raised by Optometry Giving Sight are helping local optometrists improve their skills and provide quality vision care services to local people. “I wish everyone could see long way in a country like Tanzania- I hope that everyone will consider a donation to Optometry Giving Sight on World Sight Day.”
It’s not too late to take the Challenge! Simply visit www.givingsight.org or call 1-888- OGS-GIVE to make a donation or to find out how you can involve your practice, school or company in raising funds on any day throughout October. 85% of donations to Optometry Giving Sight from eye care professionals, optical staff, employees and patients go directly to support projects that provide vision care, local training, and infrastructure support to people in underserved communities.
To learn more about the World Sight Day Challenge please visit www.givingsight.org or call 1-888-OGS-GIVE in the U.S. or 1-800-585-8265 ext. 4 in Canada. You may also contact us via email at usa.givingsight.org.
About Optometry Giving Sight
Optometry Giving Sight is a joint initiative of the World Optometry Foundation, the International Centre for Eyecare Education and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. Global and national industry sponsors include the Brien Holden Vision Institute,CIBA VISION, CooperVision, Marchon Eyewear Inc., Vision Source!, ABB Concise, AllAboutVision, Wolters Kluwer Pharma Solutions VisionCare Group, Transitions Optical, First Vision Media Group, Inc. and International Vision Expo & Conference. Optometry Giving Sight® is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
About World Sight Day
World Sight Day is an initiative of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight and is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, and non- government organizations with the shared goal of eliminating avoidable blindness by the year 2020 in order to give all people in the world the right to sight. This year, World Sight Day will be held on Thursday, October 13.
About the World Sight Day Challenge
The World Sight Day Challenge is a major fundraising campaign coordinated by Optometry Giving Sight and is designed to raise funds for projects that provide vision care, local training, and infrastructure support for people who are blind or vision impaired due to uncorrected refractive error – simply the need for an eye exam and a pair of glasses.
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