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December 2010 Lions Control Efforts in Cameroon: A Unique Community Partnership

Patrice is a community distributor in SightFirst Support Nkongbon, a small community part of Lions Clubs International Foundation’s Monatélé village, 90 miles northeast of SightFirst program has been a primary Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon. He partner in Cameroon’s national onchocer - was recently successful in making sure ciasis control program since 1993 , providing that all the members of his community were US$9.67 million through eight grants. present in the village the day Mectizan ®, Cameroon is the largest recipient of the drug to control onchocerciasis, was targeted onchocerciasis funding from distributed. Onchocerciasis is the world's SightFirst. This program is implemented second-leading infectious cause of blind - by four non-governmental organization ness, according to the World Health partners (Helen Keller International, Per - Organization, so Patrice knows well the spective, International Eye Foundation and importance of this drug. The ), the Government of Patrice was trained through a commu - Cameroon (GOC), the African Programme nity-based strategy of program ownership, for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) and the funded in part by SightFirst. His knowledge Lions of Cameroon. SightFirst-supported of the disease, his work with the local health activities have made possible 27.8 million authorities, the partners, and the Lions of Mectizan ® treatments, achieved high geo - Cameroon made him a confident and proud graphic and eligible population coverage member of his community. Community (approximately 3.75 million people were involvement and enthusiasm is high, and treated in 2009), and trained or re-trained Lions are helping to achieve great results 45,926 community distributors and super- toward eliminating this disease. visors like Patrice, and health workers. SightFirst will continue to provide funding Lions Role in Elimination for onchocerciasis projects in Cameroon Isolated communities of Cameroon’s transmitted to humans through the bite of a through a targeted and goal-oriented ap - beautiful rural areas know very well who the black . It then spreads throughout the proach that falls within the expectations of Lions are, what they do and how they care body, causing intense itching and destroying the SightFirst program building upon these and serve. This is why, the current chief of nearby tissue, such as the eye. successes. In the future, Lions and SightFirst Nkongbon decided to “crown” Past Council The vast majority of occur in plan to continue to play a vigorous role in the Chairperson Chloé Balanos, a Lion in Multiple sub-Saharan , although foci exist in support of Cameroon’s eye care system. District 403, Honorary Chief of Nkongbon. and isolated areas of Central and Lions have much to do in Cameroon but Taking her role seriously, Lion Balanos . An estimated 18 million with funding from Campaign SightFirst II, encouraged the Nkongbonese to take their people suffer from onchocerciasis, with Lions will be able to expand their blindness destiny in their hands in order to eliminate approximately 270,000 cases of blindness prevention efforts. unwanted diseases and prepare a bright related to the (18,000 in Cameroon future for the next generations. She said, alone). Treatment involves the use of the “Lions are here to help you, but first, start by drug Mectizan ® (or ) donated free helping yourself.” by Merck & Co. For best effect, entire communities are treated at the same time. A Blinding Disease A single dose may kill first-stage larvae Onchocerciasis (also known as River (microfilariae) in infected people and pre - Blindness) is a caused by vents for many months in the infection from roundworm. The parasite is remaining population. A New Emphasis for Programs in India

Cataract. It is the leading cause of blindness in India, yet it is also one of the easiest and least expensive eye conditions to treat. Within a matter of minutes, a skilled opthalmic surgeon can remove the cloudy of the eye from a patient and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens. This simple procudure to give back sight is performed every two minutes daily by the Lions of India on indigent patients. On an annual basis, nearly 300,000 cataract surgeries are carried out at Lions and Lions-affiliated eye hospitals. To put this number in perspective, it is just slightly lower than the entire population of the Maldives, India’s neighbor to the south - west. The Lions of India are directly responsible for approximately five percent of the country’s cataract surgries—quite an accomplishment, given that Lions are volunteers! SightFirst has worked side- by-side with the Lions of India, providing US$10.2 million to upgrade, expand, or construct 140 Lions and Lions-affiliated eye hospitals with needed equipment, spatial improvements and training. Tara Mati is one of these patients. She received cataract surgery in her left eye in August, and four days later on the other eye. Due to her double-cataract, she was unable to look after her grandchildren. But now she is able to resume her daily chores and care for her grandchildren. Because Mati is not indigent, she elected to pay US$25 for her surgery. She could have gone to a costly private hospital, but chose to have surgery at the Lions’ hospital due to its reputation. Patients like Mati are important to Lions and Lions-affiliated hospitals because the fees help subsidize the costs of caring for poorer patients and ensure long-term sustainability of the surgery rates that mirror, if not surpass, developed countries. facilities. Despite these successes, there are still areas of India with low SightFirst has also partnered with the Lions by helping to coverage that require a concerted effort and focus from Lions and directly subsidize the costs of cataract surgeries. Since 1994, the SightFirst. Lions of India have been awarded US$24 million to support their In response, the Lions are now focusing on areas of greatest cataract programs. These grants typically pay for the costs of need. For example, the Lions of Multiple Districts 324-AB, 324-C, half of a surgery for an indigent patient. The remaining funds 324-D and 324-E (southern India) have requested SightFirst are provided by the Lions and their partners. To date, a total of funding to support their programming only in areas that have 2 million cataract surgeries have been supported by SightFirst. cataract surgical rates of less than one half of their respective state As a result of a strategic review of the SightFirst cataract policy, averages. This is a solution that makes sense. These new projects the program now focuses its screening and surgery projects in are having a more influential role in increasing cataract surgical communities of greatest need. Since SightFirst began in 1991, the coverage in a given area and are having a more targeted impact on cataract surgery rate (number of cataract surgeries per million public eye care systems. They are presenting new opportunities persons) in India has risen from 1,500 to 5,137. Thanks also to for innovative Lions service, recognition and growth in the areas Lions and their partners, there are now Indian states with cataract being targeted.

2 Due to closer coordination with government officials at both the national and district levels, Lions have also been able to acquire increased government funds that are made available to charitable providers. Given their prominent place in Indian society and their connections within the government, the Lions are quite good at this. Their mem - bership in Vision 2020 India, an alliance of organizations associated with eye care, has also allowed them to more fully coordinate their activities with other key groups. India is just one country that has benefited from a more targeted approach to cataract surgeries through SightFirst II. In this manner Lions are able to ensure those in most need receive the help they need, now and for years to come.

Lions Expand SightFirst Initiatives

As Lions move into the next phase of students aligns with the SightFirst, they are focusing their efforts on Education for All (EFA) new areas of opportunity. Lions remain movement, a global com - committed to fighting blinding diseases mitment to provide quality and restoring sight, but they are also now basic education for all targeting those who are blind and have children, youth and adults low vision. by 2015. There is a great need for these services. In addition to educa - Ninety percent of blind or low vision children tional oppor tunities, there do not attend school, which equals more is a great need for rehabil - than 5 million children worldwide. Education itation services. Rehabili - for blind and low vision children provides tation includes a wide the traditional academic experience with the range of clinical therapy addition of specialized services to aid in and non-clinical training the development of critical life skills for to provide blind and low adulthood. vision persons with the Oftentimes, families, health care profes - skills and tools to maintain sionals and educators are not aware that a safe, active and inde - blind and low vision children can success - pendent lifestyle. While rehabilitation can - with SightFirst funding support to help fully complete their education. Blind and not restore lost sight, it can help individuals address these needs. Projects might include low vision children can attend school in maximize any remaining vision so that they, support for capacity-building of school inclusive or integrated classrooms, with as well as those who are blind, can travel systems to better accommodate blind and trained teachers and modest equipment safely, take care of their needs, meet their low vision children; support to organizations and materials, or in specialized schools or career goals, participate in education and that provide training, mentorship opportu - centers. It is important that teachers are enjoy leisure activities. nities and subsidies or microloans for trained and provided the necessary equip - This is a natural fit for Lions, who have microenterprise initiatives; and development ment to prepare lesson materials for these long been dedicated to improving quality of and/or expansion of community-based students. life and increasing independence for the awareness initiatives. Community-based awareness programs visually impaired and blind. As needs of the community change, are needed to educate key groups and Employment-related rehabilitation serv - Lions continue to find ways to tackle those create demand for inclusion of disabled ices may include training with assistive needs. Lions are committed and driven. students and the establishment of parent technology, Braille literacy and business support groups. skills, as well as mentorship and provision Lions efforts to increase access to of entrepreneurial opportunities. education for blind and visually impaired Lions are now able to develop programs 3 New Partnership Targets

Lions Clubs International Foundation strives to leverage Lions’ funding through partnerships with companies and organizations that share a common mission. One such partnership is a new collaboration with the Bausch + Lomb Early Vision Institute aimed at combating . The Pediatric Cataract Initiative will prevent and treat cataract in infants and children and promote early childhood vision screenings. Bausch + Lomb is contributing US$350,000 to LCIF in the pilot year to launch the partnership program. Pediatric cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens that can cause childhood vision loss and blindness. This new partnership program will help treat and prevent pediatric cataract. “Lions have a long-standing commitment to saving the sight of people worldwide, particularly children,” said Eberhard J. Wirfs, LCIF Chairperson. “Our two organizations share a common mission of preserving sight so this partnership is a natural extension of that effort.” The Pediatric Cataract Initiative will utilize the resources of both organizations to identify, fund and promote innovative methods of • Joseph Barr, O.D., MS, FAAO, vice president of Global Clinical overcoming this challenge for the long-term benefit of children, & Medical Affairs and Professional Services (Vision Care) for their families and their communities. Bausch + Lomb, New York, USA, emeritus professor of “Too many newborns afflicted with pediatric cataract have a Optometry and Vision Science at Ohio State University, Ohio, lifetime of vision loss and blindness ahead of them – an untenable USA, and emeritus editor of Contact Lens Spectrum prospect in today’s world,” said Paul Sartori, then-corporate vice • Sean P. Donahue, Ph.D., M.D., professor of Ophthalmology president, Bausch + Lomb. “With more funding and attention and Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, placed on research, prevention and treatment, we’ll be making Tennessee, USA an impact in the lives of children worldwide.” • Claire Gilbert, M.D., MSc., professor of International Eye The rate of pediatric cataract in developed nations is one to four Health at the International Centre for Eye Health, London children per 100,000 births. However, in underserved countries, School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London University, the rate can be 10 times greater. As such, during its first year, the England initiative will primarily focus on aiding children within China, where • Scott Lambert, M.D., professor of Ophthalmology and Pediatrics an estimated 40,000 children suffer from pediatric cataract. The at Emory University, Georgia, USA initiative will also fund basic research projects aimed at identifying • Dr. Guillipali “Nag” Rao, M.D., founder of LV Prasad Eye causes of the disease and/or its treatment. Institute in India, Chairman • Lipika Roy, M.D., MBA, pediatric ophthalmologist, head of Advisory Council Review Asia-Pacific Medical Affairs (Pharmaceuticals) for Bausch + An Advisory Council has been created to start the course of the Lomb, Singapore, and former assistant director of research, partnership and review project funding proposals. It is comprised ophthalmology, for Singapore’s National Health Care Group of renowned eye health experts from around the world, one Lions’ • Wing Kun-Tam, Lions Clubs International Vice President from representative and one Bausch + Lomb representative. Hong Kong, China.

4 SightFirst Funds in Action

Two thousand indigenous patients in northwest Argentina received free cataract surgeries thanks to SightFirst and local Lions.

Below are some of the stories of individuals who were helped through this project:

Indigenous Cataract Patient (not identified): Before the operation, my head was always hurting. I felt bad because I could not see. I was scared of falling down because I could not see where I was walking. The surgery changed my life. Now I see well from far away, and I do not fear that I will fall. Before, I never could seek assistance because we did not have a place to go to for help. Then the nurse came, who worked with the Crespo Lions Club. She convinced us to go to them for an exam. She accompanied me to the Lions club, where they performed all the tests. Then the Lions took me to Reconquista, where they operated on me. They treated me so well before and after the operation. I never had to pay even one peso. I want to say that I am very grateful for the Lions club and all the people who worked with them so that I can see again. I hope that they continue doing this work.

Gomez Patricio: Before the operation, I did not see well with my left eye and saw nothing with my right eye. I could not walk alone. I depended on someone for everything. After 20 years without sight, everything was different following the operation. Before the nurse connected me with the Crespo Lions Club, I had no way of getting anywhere. She accompanied us to the club where they did their vision tests on us. I also was operated on in Reconquista, and we didn’t have to pay anything. The Lions always treated us very well. I want to thank everyone for what they did for me.

Coria Zulema (mother of 10 children): I don’t know how to thank every - one: the nurse that connected us with the Crespo Lions Club, the Lions and everything they did for me, the surgery that changed my life. Now I see well, and I can be independent again. They treated me so well, and Promotion of the Program I paid nothing. I hope they can continue doing this! The program was formally announced at two key With funds raised through Campaign SightFirst II, many more people events in June, aimed at Lions and eye health care in Argentina, and around the world, will have a brighter future due to professionals. The announcement events and press improved vision. conferences were held at Lions Clubs International Convention in Sydney, Australia and the American Optometric Association’s annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. Additional events are planned at international trade shows through the end of 2010. The Pediatric Cataract Initiative has also been featured in key trade and daily publications and news programs, including the Contact Lens Spectrum and Corporate Philanthropy Report , USA; Ophthalmology Times , Europe; CBS Early Show, U.S. nationwide newscast; and The News and Southern Courier , Australia. A Web site for the program has also been created at www.PediatricCataract.org. At this site, individuals can also sign up for e-mail updates and follow the initiative on Facebook and Twitter. Help LCIF and Baush+Lomb combat childhood blindness today. SightFirst - Moving Forward in Addressing Uncorrected

Lions Clubs International Foundation’s partnership with Essilor “Essilor International is excited to embark on a new long-term International will focus on developing or strengthening uncor - partnership with LCIF. Essilor's corporate mission, helping rected refractive error initiatives targeted toward underserved mankind ‘See the World Better,’ fundamentally complements the populations. A variety of pilot initiatives are underway including core mission of LCIF to fight against blindness,” said Hubert an assessment of recycling practices, development of a Lions Sagnières, CEO of Essilor International. “Combating uncorrected lens, and capacity building efforts to establish optical capacity in refractive errors not only addresses the goals of the Vision 2020, select African countries. designed by the World Health Organization, but also enables beneficiaries of our future shared actions to enjoy a ‘Better Life Through Better Sight.’ Essilor and LCIF team together now and in the future to bring improved vision and a more meaningful life to those who are visually impaired.” Uncorrected refractive errors are the second leading cause of global blindness. When refractive errors are left untreated or when the correction is inadequate, they can cause severe and even blindness. The World Health Organization estimates that of the 153 million people impaired with uncorrected refractive errors, 8 million are blind. Yet the correction of refractive errors with appropriate glasses is among the most cost-effective interventions in eye health care. Thanks to the fundraising success of Campaign SightFirst II, Lions will now play a major role in addressing uncorrected refractive error. The program will maintain its efforts to control and eliminate avoidable blindness in program areas like cataract, and river blindness, while broadening its reach to combat emerging threats to vision including uncor - rected refractive errors, diabetic and low vision. SightFirst seeks to fill gaps in eye care including: service delivery, human resource training, infrastructure development and eye health education. Refractive service programs will play an important role in building comprehensive eye care systems that are both sustainable and equitable. The future will be an exciting one for SightFirst as new refractive error pilot activities are implemented and SightFirst incorporates these services in comprehensive eye care system development for the underserved of our world.

“Essilor International is excited to embark on a new long-term partnership with LCIF.”

6 Grants

SightFirst Grants approved at the SightFirst Advisory Committee Meeting, August 18, 2010 21 grants totaling US$2,681,965

District O-2, Argentina District 325-B, Nepal US$81,000 for cataract surgery and screening campaign, US$415,000 for cataract screening and surgery campaign northeast region District 325-A, Nepal Multiple District 310, Thailand US$278,750 for cataract screening and surgery campaign US$49,650 for advanced training course for mid-level eye care personnel at Korat Institute District 411-A, Ethiopia US$144,000 for national cataract screening and Undistricted, Laos surgery campaign US$160,000 for cataract screening and surgery campaign District 414, Tunisia District 321-C2, India US$80,490 to equip Monastir University Hospital's US$61,848 to upgrade S.S. Hospital, Bareilly ophthalmic department

District 322-C2, India District 411-B, & US$40,233 to upgrade Lions Eye Hospital, Bhubaneswar US$193,000 to equip eye hospitals in both countries

District 322-C3, India District 412, Botswana US$67,362 to upgrade Burdwan Lions Eye Hospital US$37,847 to equip Lions SightFirst Eye Unit, Sekgora Memorial Hospital, Serowe District 322-D, India US$93,093 to upgrade Jorhat Lions Eye Hospital District 352, Egypt US$75,000 to equip Menufiya Eye Hospital Undistricted, India US$179,347 for cataract screening and surgery campaign District 410-A, South Africa US$90,000 for cataract screening and surgery campaign Multiple District 322, India US$292,663 for cataract screening and surgery campaign Undistricted, Africa US$13,000 to establish Lions Vision Center in Africa: Multiple District 321, India situational analysis and assessment mission US$123,282 for cataract screening and surgery campaign Undistricted, Japan Multiple District 306, Sri Lanka US$26,400 to support Lions World Sight Day activities US$180,000 for cataract screening and surgery campaign SightFirst Stats

Lions have raised US$350 million through two fundraising campaigns to support SightFirst. The programs's accomplishments since 1990 are astounding: • Awarded US$241 million for 1005 projects in 102 countries • Provided 7.68 million sight-restoring cataract surgeries • Prevented serious vision loss for 30 million • Improved eye care services for hundreds of millions • Provided 137 million treatments for river blindness • Built or expanded 315 eye hospitals/clinics/wards • Upgraded 389 eye centers with equipment • Provided management training for 186 facilities • Trained 659,000 ophthalmologists, ophthalmic nurses, other professional eye care workers and village health workers • Launched world's first-ever initiative to combat childhood blindness in partnership with the World Health Organization. The 35 pediatric eye care centers established or strengthened have impacted the lives of 102 million children. 7 Lions, Partners Provide Trachoma Treatments to 10 Million in Ethiopia

On November 2, 2010, a group of Lions led by Lions Clubs International President Sid L. Scruggs III joined with partners to launch MalTra, a week-long combined treatment campaign aimed at controlling both and trachoma. The event marks the largest single event in trachoma control history. “As Lions, we are passionate about eliminating preventable blindness, and strong partnerships are essential to success - fully tackling problems at this magnitude,” said Scruggs. “Through SightFirst, Lions in Ethiopia and around the world are committed to preventing this debilitating disease.” This was the fifth MalTra week event. Lions helped in mobilizing more than 15,000 community volunteers to ensure more than 10 million people in 4,500 villages receive the drugs that will help prevent trachoma as well as protect them against other common infections. “This campaign is of great significance to us as it targets trachoma and malaria, two major health problems of our communities in Amhara region at an unprecedented scale” said H.E. Ato Ayalew Gobezie, president of the regional state. Lion Dr. Tebebe Berhan and International President Sid L. Scruggs III administer a dose of Zithromax. They are joined by partner organization representatives from At the same time, Lions and partners distributed bed nets to International Trachoma Initiative, Pfizer and The Carter Center. protect against malaria-carrying mosquito bites and provided community education on ways to prevent both trachoma and malaria. eliminate trachoma from Amhara by 2012 for the entire population International President Scruggs and his wife Judy, Past Inter - at risk, around 18 million people. The antibiotic, Zithromax ®, donated national President Jim Ervin and his wife Sharon, Lions of Ethiopia by program partner Pfizer Inc, is a critical part of Lions and partners’ and Lions Clubs International Foundation staff participated in ad - strategy in the fight against the blinding disease in underdeveloped, ministering the first dose and launching the week-long initiative. rural areas. Surgery, hygiene and sanitation are also vital components The government of Ethiopia, including the national and state pres - in the strategy to prevent trachoma. idents, joined in the celebration with partner organizations includ - “We are delighted to be part of such an inspiring collaboration ing The Carter Center, Pfizer, International Trachoma Initiative and and model public health campaign - the latest in our ongoing the national trachoma program. commitment to eliminate blinding trachoma by 2020,” said Dr. The celebration took place in Bahir Dar; the most trachoma- Freda Lewis-Hall, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, area of the country. Together with the Amhara Regional Pfizer Inc. “Like all of the health programs Pfizer is involved in Health Bureau, the international coalition is working to eliminate across this region, it’s the strength of the partnership between the trachoma as a source of blindness from the region by 2012. organizations and health professionals involved that makes large “We shouldn’t allow malaria and trachoma to prey on Ethiopian scale events such as MalTra week possible.” people, destroying lives and jeopardizing the country’s future,” said Through SightFirst, LCIF has distributed more than 42 million Dr. John B. Hardman, CEO and president of The Carter Center. “We doses of Zithomax worldwide to help fight trachoma. should do everything possible to support the Ministry of Health Trachoma is just one disease where Lions, together with partners, scale-up interventions to assist all the people of Ethiopia so that they are having a significant combined global impact. Lions in Ethiopia, can realize their full potential free from these devastating diseases.” and around the world, remain committed to eliminating preventable A disease caused by bacterial infection, trachoma is the leading blindness. cause of preventable blindness worldwide. It is Ethiopia’s goal to

Lions Clubs International Foundation is the official charitable foundation of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.35 million members in 45,000 clubs in 206 countries and geographic areas. LCIF provides grants to Lions districts for large-scale humanitarian projects. Through the SightFirst program, Lions have restored sight to 7.68 million people through cataract surgeries, prevented serious vision loss for 30 million people and improved eye care services for hundreds of millions. Lions Clubs International Foundation 300 W. 22nd Street E-mail [email protected] or write LCIF, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL, USA 60523-8842 to be added Oak Brook, IL 60523 to our mailing list. This publication can also be downloaded from our Web site at www.lcif.org. ForSight ® 630.571.5466 is produced twice yearly by Lions Clubs International Foundation. Support the SightFirst Program at 630.571.5735 www.lcif.org/donate. Contributors: Phillip Albano, Pennie Barbel, Karim Bengraine, Nicole Brown, Alecia Dimar, Kristen SF 206 EN Eckert, Joshua Friedman and Gina Prendki