by Dr. Ashok Mehta
President, The International Association of Lions Clubs

An especially important event took place at our 88th International Convention in Hong Kong, China—the launching of our monumental Campaign SightFirst II. Its fundraising target of $150 million, and stretch goal of another $50 million, will enable the SightFirst program to expand its capacity to successfully fight preventable and reversible blindness and bring the gift of sight to millions more people across the earth. Since its inauguration, SightFirst has exemplified the spirit of “Passion to Excel” and the additional funds that will be made available through the campaign will make it possible for Lions to give still further meaning to the ideals of We Serve.

More than 4.6 million people have received SightFirst-funded sight-restoring cataract surgery and millions more have benefited from our initiatives to eliminate river blindness and trachoma in Africa and Latin America. This has been made possible through the generosity of Lions in our initial Campaign SightFirst during 1991-1994 when more than US$143 million was raised. I can only imagine how much additional humanitarian work we will be able to accomplish with the funds generated through the three-year mission of Campaign SightFirst II. In addition to the ongoing services of SightFirst, new opportunities for eliminating blindness will be pursued, leading us to far exceed what we have already achieved.

For example, we will be able to increase our efforts to address the needs of people with glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy and become even more involved in preventing diseases of the eye in children. Staff at Lions research centers will be in a position to explore new procedures that will one day bring about discoveries to further eliminate the causes of blindness. Lions at the club and district levels will also be able to develop and implement continually upgraded rehabilitation services for the visually impaired. We all know that the role of Lions as leaders in sight conservation and blindness prevention is recognized the world over, and it is our solemn responsibility to maintain this passion for service which so clearly defines our role as humanitarians. Support of Campaign SightFirst II will help ensure the ability of Lions Clubs International to successfully continue these endeavors.

SightFirst has brought hope and brightened the lives of millions of men, women and children throughout the world…and the future looks even brighter because of the passion Lions show for enhancing their leadership in eliminating blindness. The new campaign that was launched in Hong Kong underscores this determination. We have had a most encouraging beginning because the campaign has already received 24 Lead Gifts of US$100,000 or more. In August, the campaign’s 186 sector coordinators will receive training and join the 46 National/Multinational Coordinators who are already in place. The three-year program will eventually enlist as many as 8,000 volunteers, all of whom are needed if Campaign SightFirst II is to be a complete success.

My fellow Lions, I am sincerely passionate in my desire for SightFirst to continue along its path of eliminating the scourge of blindness from the face of the earth. It is a passion we all need to share if we are to fully answer Helen Keller’s challenge to be “Knights of the Blind.” In my travels, I have witnessed how SightFirst funds have been a leading force in helping Lions initiate and continue activities to confront the ravages of vision loss. I have listened to recipients of sight-restoring surgery tell of the new lives they now lead because of the dedicated work of the Lions, and I have read reports from Lions around the world of their far-reaching efforts in blindness prevention. I am, indeed, proud of all they have accomplished.

With each cataract surgery or mission to equip an eye hospital…with each project designed to eliminate trachoma or river blindness, or fundraising activity to train eye care specialists in advanced techniques, or any number of other initiatives in this field of humanitarian endeavor, Lions are giving testimony to their uncompromising “Passion To Excel.”