(PRESS RELEASE) CHICAGO — Since 1908, Prevent Blindness, the nation’s oldest not-for-profit voluntary eye health organization, has worked to provide services and programs to protect vision in the United States. Through the support of the American public, Prevent Blindness has continued its mission to advocate, educate and empower people to make healthy vision a priority. The group is declaring December as “Give the Gift of Sight Month,” asking the public to reflect on the joys of healthy vision, and donate to Prevent Blindness.
More than 100 years ago, Prevent Blindness was founded as a public health advocacy organization, dedicated to eliminating blinding eye disease in newborns (ophthalmia neonatorum). Prevent Blindness, and its affiliates, have expanded the mission to serve millions of Americans across the age spectrum by raising awareness and educating the public about conditions related to vision and eye health; advocating for vision health-related public policy; promoting early detection as a key to the prevention of vision loss and blindness; supporting public health research to identify the scope of vision problems across the United States; and producing expert-reviewed resources that meet patient and caregiver needs.
“Thanks to the generous contributions from the public and our corporate donors, we are able to continue our mission to prevent blindness and preserve sight,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “We know 2020 has been a highly challenging year. We ask those who are able, to please help us protect the gift of sight with a contribution towards our efforts.”
To donate, visit here , or call Prevent Blindness at (800) 331-2020. For a free listing of organizations and services that provide financial assistance for vision care in English or Spanish, visit here.