Local activities / news / events
Run for Sight
Ever been tempted to take part in one of Sydney’s largest running events?
Want to help raise money for a great cause?
Then why not register for this year’s City 2 Surf event in support of Optometry Giving Sight?
It is a great way to have fun, get fit and, most importantly, help give sight to those in need.
By running to raise funds for Optometry Giving Sight you can help transform the lives of some of the 670 million people worldwide who are blind or vision impaired simply because they don’t have access to an eye exam and a pair of glasses.
To register, visit: www.city2surf.com.au
Join the Optometry Giving Sight team. You will need to use the team password: givingsight
For more information simply email or call 02 9385 4867.
Recognition for Philanthropy
Eyecare Plus Orange have been presented with the Optometry Giving Sight ‘Practice Award’ for 2008. Nick Hansen and his team won the award for raising the most money from an individual practice for the World Sight Day Challenge last year. The announcement was made at the Essilor breakfast at the SRC in Melbourne.
“It was a great honor to receive the Award”, commented Nick. “We were able to raise so much money because our staff got enthusiastically behind the project and the people of Orange responded accordingly. Thanks to all involved.”
UNSW optometry student, Claresta Soesanto, was presented with the ‘Chairman’s Award’ by Optometry Giving Sight’s Australian Chair, Bob Lees. Claresta took the lead in organizing fundraising events for the World Sight Day Student Challenge in 2008 resulting in a donation of $8,000. Thanks to her efforts UNSW raised the most of any university worldwide!
“The recipient of the Chairman’s Award is based on the philanthropic efforts by an individual”, commented Bob. “This year Claresta’s enthusiasm and leadership resulted in a significant sum being raised that will help to transform the lives of perhaps thousands of people”.
If you know someone who deserves recognition for their commitment to helping to give sight – and hope – to people in need through their support of Optometry Giving Sight, contact us.
Register for this year’s World Sight Day Challenge.
AMO Keeps Giving Following Acquisition
Having recently been acquired by Abbott Medical Optics, long-time sponsor Advanced Medical Optics will continue to support Optometry Giving Sight in Australia.
Ron Baroni, Head of AMO Australia and New Zealand, presented a cheque for $100,000 to Optometry Giving Sight at the SRC in May.
“We are delighted to continue to support Optometry Giving Sight as Patron National Sponsors”, commented Ron. “Optometry Giving Sight’s work complements our promise, Vision for Life, and enables us to give back and help give sight to the millions of people who suffer uncorrected refractive error in developing communities.”
Optometry Giving Sight thanks AMO for their significant support. In addition to the company’s financial contribution, AMO also encourages their staff and customers to support Optometry Giving Sight through regular giving and campaigns such as Seeing Eye to Eye.
Something to Celebrate!
In May Optometry Giving Sight in Australia celebrated its fifth birthday. During the last five years, optometrists and staff, optical corporations, the OAA and state divisions have committed to ending refractive error blindness by making Optometry Giving Sight their charity of choice.
Funds raised have transformed the lives of people in need through the gift of vision. Most recently the 4 Vision Technicians who were trained in India have returned to Sri Lanka and will commence work in 4 new vision centres. With ongoing support from our partners at ICEE, they will provide vision care services to the millions of people in this region, providing an eye exam and glasses at an affordable price and from a locally trained person for the very first time.
In Zambia, 612 teachers have been trained to screen children. More than 112,000 children aged 11-15 will be screened and more than 5,000 glasses provided. The program aims to ensure these children stay in school so that they complete their education and have a chance at a real future for themselves and their families.
Upcoming Events
Learn more about Optometry Giving Sight at these upcoming conferences and events:
9-10 July
ACBO, Sydney
10-12 July
ODMA, Sydney
14-16 August
Tasmanian Lifestyle Congress, Hobart
28-30 August
WAVE, Perth
