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Contact:
Nicole Brown
Lions Clubs International Foundation
630-468-6887
E-mail: Nicole.Brown@lionsclubs.org

For Immediate Release

Lions Rally for Sight on Campaign SightFirst II Day

Oak Brook, Illinois, USA, April 4, 2008—In one day alone, more than 1,300 men, women and children lose their sight to blindness, according to the World Health Organization. More than 80 percent of those cases are preventable or reversible.

From May 11-17, 2008, Lions Clubs International will summon its nearly 45,000 Lions clubs in 202 countries and geographic areas to do one thing: save sight. During this week, Lions clubs around the world will dedicate one day as their Campaign SightFirst II Day by hosting a fund-raising event, making a pledge, or contributing with a personal donation, all to raise funds for Campaign SightFirst II (CSFII).

Lions’ Campaign SightFirst II Day efforts are just one part of CSFII fund raising to continue and expand the success of Lions’ SightFirst program. Lions have already exceeded their US$150 million CSFII minimum goal and now have until June 2008 to raise funds toward their US$200 million challenge goal.

“Throughout our three years of CSFII fund raising, Lions have proven time and time again that they are steadfast in their dedication to saving sight. I anticipate the same will be true of local Lions clubs’ Campaign SightFirst II Day efforts,” says Dr. Tae-Sup Lee, Lions past international president and CSFII chairperson. “The combined efforts of Lions and their communities during one day can provide a lifetime of sight to individuals around the world.”

Since 1990, Lions’ SightFirst program has saved the sight of more than 27 million people and improved vision care for hundreds of millions of people by providing cataract surgeries, screenings, medication, treatment and community education to prevent blindness. Through the SightFirst program, US$6 is the average cost to save the sight of one person.

Funds raised during in the final weeks of CSFII will help Lions reach their US$200 million challenge goal. These funds will help to expand Lions’ SightFirst program to address growing threats to sight, including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and low vision, fund vital research initiatives, and enhance programs to rehabilitate those already blind.

Lions Clubs International Foundation is the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International, the largest service club organization in the world with nearly 1.3 million members in 202 geographic areas and countries. LCIF was ranked by a Financial Times’ study as the number one non-governmental organization with which to partner. Established in 1968, LCIF has been involved with blindness prevention and treatment for more than 15 years through the SightFirst program. For more information, visit www.lcif.org or www.lions-csfii.org.

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