Campaign SightFirst
Campaign SightFirst was launched in 1989 and proved to be Lions' most ambitious and most successful initiative ever. Thanks to SightFirst, Lions have restored sight to 7.5 million people through cataract surgeries, prevented serious vision loss for 30 million people and improved eye care services for hundreds of millions. Through SightFirst, Lions have prevented blindness by helping to build or expand eye hospitals and clinics, distributing sight-saving medication and training eye care professionals. In partnership with the World Health Organization, SightFirst launched the world's first-ever global initiative to combat childhood blindness. The project created 30 centers for pediatric eye care around the world. Campaign SightFirst, was not only been stunningly effective but also startlingly efficient. On average, about every $6 in donations has resulted in a person with vision restored or saved from blindness. Campaign SightFirst raised $143 million from Lions. Lions launched Campaign SightFirst II in 2005 as experts predicted that the world's blind population could double from 37 million to 74 million by 2020 if nothing was done, thus the urgent need to redouble SightFirst efforts. And the fact that there is a number of new emerging eye diseases that are creating new threats to vision. Campaign Sightfirst II enabled Lions to expand the extraordinary work of SightFirst. Lions raised more than US$250 million, which will be used to continue current SightFirst programs as well as expand and launch new SightFirst initiatives in the areas of rehabilitation and research. For more information about Campaign SightFirst please visit the International website.