More Information SightFirst Program Campaign SightFirst II Statistics Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP) SightFirst Initiatives Recent SightFirst Grants SightFirst Advisory Committee Eye Health Information Grants Forms/Brochures FAQ Contact Us

It’s a stark fact. By the time you finish reading this page, a child somewhere in the world will have gone blind. One child goes blind every minute. Half-a-million will have lost their sight by the end of the year.

Childhood blindness is only one part of the global vision crisis. If nothing is done, experts say that the world’s blind population could double from 37 million to 74 million by 2020. But Lions will not allow that to happen.

True to their commitment as “knights of the blind,” Lions have launched Campaign SightFirst II to prevent this tragedy. CSFII has set out to raise at least US$150 million to continue and expand the extraordinary work of SightFirst, Lions worldwide program to combat preventable blindness.

US$6: is the average cost to save one person from blindness through Campaign SightFirst II.

The Work of SightFirst
Lions’ SightFirst program is one of the most effective public-health initiatives in history and exemplifies our dedication to our “We Serve” motto. On average, US$6 saves someone’s sight. Lions, through the work of SightFirst, have become leaders in the fight against preventable blindness. SightFirst has accomplished much since 1990.

The World Needs CSFII
Despite the success of SightFirst, much work remains. With CSFII, Lions seek to continue to change the world through sight preservation. SightFirst has been extraordinarily effective, but Lions’ dream of providing “Vision for All” has not yet been realized. The growth and aging of the world’s population create new challenges. Changing patterns of eye disease, barely discernable when SightFirst began, have become serious threats to sight around the world.

Cataract, a disease closely tied to aging, remains the world’s leading cause of blindness. Childhood blindness and low vision are at an all-time high. 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.

SightFirst has a three-part strategy to prevent the world’s blind population from doubling to 2020. The SightFirst approach defines the goals of CSFII.

US$150 million minimum goal will:

• Goal 1 (US$102 million): contain and possibly eliminate the leading causes of avoidable blindness.
• Goal 2 (US$48 million): combat emerging threats to sight.

Total US$200 million Challenge goal:

• Goal 3 (US$50 million challenge goal): provide “Vision for All” through research, rehabilitation, and out-reach to vulnerable populations.

You Can Help
Launched at the 88th International Convention in Hong Kong in 2005, the early dedication of many Lions’ resulted in a strong start. Here are some ways each Lions club can make a difference through CSFII:

Melvin Jones Fellowships: Giving is an act of service, and there is no better way to give to CSFII than through Melvin Jones Fellowships. All gifts to CSFII are eligible for LCIF’s highest commendation of humanitarian service, the Melvin Jones Fellowship.

Model Clubs: Throughout the world, these extraordinary clubs have established challenging goals depending on their constitutional area. More than 2,400 Model Clubs have pledged more than US$55 million to date. These clubs have demonstrated what can be accomplished through a comprehensive and committed effort to fund-raising.

Lead Gifts: CSFII has received 65 lead gifts and 79 major gifts, including a US$600,000 donation – the largest personal gift received in Lions’ history.

Continuing Our Momentum
While the campaign has achieved much to date, it is imperative that we press forward with excitement and a sense of urgency, and to do so, we need your help today. Your club can make a difference by: forming a CSFII Committee, setting a challenging goal or using a combination of fund-raising methods, including:

• Club fund-raising events and activities
• Matching outright gifts from the club treasury
• Personal gifts and pledges from non-Lions
• Lions’ personal gifts and pledges (MJFs and Progressive MJFs)
• Club fund-raising activities
• Matching/outright gifts from club treasuries

To learn more about CSFII, visit the Web site (available in English only).

To contribute to the Campaign, be sure to designate your donation for CSFII.