(PRESS RELEASE) ST. LOUIS, MO — Following landfall for Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Milton, The AOA Foundation issued an emergency appeal for donations to Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief (OFDR) to which the profession quickly responded. Now totaling more than $233,000 in contributions from individuals, as well as $50,000 each from the Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety and AOAExcel, and $100,000 from AOA Visionary Supporter EssilorLuxottica, OFDR continues to take applications from doctors and students impacted by Helene.
Many optometry practices are picking up the pieces from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Affected doctors, staff and students from the Carolinas to Tennessee, Florida, Georgia and more are contending with flood-related destruction that washed away homes, business, roads and even towns. There are more than 7,700 licensed practicing doctors of optometry in the six states most impacted by Helene and Milton.
“Optometry is, at its heart, a family, and AOAExcel did not hesitate to step up for our family with this important donation to OFDR,” says Sam Pierce, O.D., AOAExcel chair. “We stand by all doctors of optometry and students impacted by these devastating disasters.”
“We know doctors of optometry and practices face significant challenges in delivering care to those who need it most during these disasters, and OFDR is a powerful resource to help them continue to provide eye health and vision care in their communities,” says David Cockrell, O.D., Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety chair. “The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety is proud to support this important initiative and ensure that patients have access to essential care.”
“EssilorLuxottica is committed to the profession in good times and difficult times. Delivering essential care to their communities is a calling, but in times of crisis, doctors need a lifeline of support to enable them to do what they do best. We are incredibly proud to support the AOA’s Disaster Relief Fund over the years and especially today, with two natural disasters hitting the region hard back to back. In addition to our OFDR contribution, we will directly support our customers in the region, helping them restart their practices so they can get back on their feet,” said Fabrizio Uguzzoni, President of Professional Solutions, EssilorLuxottica Americas.
To date, OFDR has awarded 14 grants, after quickly processing, reviewing and notifying recipients of their grants given the urgent need. Applicants for OFDR grants reported a litany of catastrophic damage: practice closure due to a loss of electricity; flooding and mudslides washing out driveway; without electrical, cellphone and water service; major sinkhole opened on property; and tree through the roof of house, causing flooding inside.
Doctors were still assessing the damage to their practices and homes.
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“Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief, administered by The AOA Foundation, is committed to supporting our colleagues as they recover from the devastation caused by the recent storms,” AOA Foundation President Belinda R. Starkey, O.D., says.
“We are proud to provide critical resources to help ensure that optometrists can continue to serve their communities during these challenging times,” Dr. Starkey adds. “We appreciate the gifts that have been donated, including those from members and our corporate supporters. Given the forecasts, the need will be great.”
Disasters are unpredictable and life-altering, but the AOA Foundation is determined to ensure OFDR is always ready to help doctors of optometry and optometry students overcome challenging times. Support helps the foundation support programs such as OFDR.
Affected individuals could be eligible for grants up to $4,000 to help provide financial support with an aim toward helping cover necessary expenses and expediting doctors’ ability to reopen their practices to serve their patients.”
