mike hale's Fundraiser:
Team Cureblindness SF Marathon 2011
mike
ORGANIZER: HIMALAYAN CATARACT PROJECT INC
EVENT: San Francisco Marathon 2011
EVENT DATE: Jul 31, 2011
DEADLINE TO GIVE: Jul 30, 2011
HERE'S THE STORY:
HIMALAYAN CATARACT PROJECT INC wrote -
The Himalayan Cataract Project (HCP) has partnered with The San Francisco Marathon to raise awareness and funds for blindness in Ethiopia because the need for eye care is great. In the northern region of Tigray with a population of 5 million, the prevalence of blindness is 1.6%. The current surgical rate, approximately 6,000-7,000 cases per year, is merely keeping pace with the number of new cases. It is not sufficient to address the backlog of approximately 40,000. This is sobering given that Tigray has one of the highest surgical rates in the country.
“Future challenges are considerable but our opportunity to effect change in this region are massive. I met a large cadre of young, bright ophthalmologists and nurses eager for improved supplies, equipment, training, and to participate in outreach.”—Dr. Matt Oliva, HCP Board Member
The Himalayan Cataract Project started working in Ethiopia when it partnered with the Millennium Villages Project for a high-volume cataract intervention in Koraro, Ethiopia in 2007. Through that intervention HCP co-founder Dr. Tabin met Dr. Tilahun Kiros from Quiha Zonal Hospital in the northern region of Tigray. Since then HCP has established collaborative partnerships with ophthalmic clinical staff from several hospitals throughout the country. HCP has provided support by training doctors and nurses at its flagship training facility in Kathmandu, Nepal and on site through several high-volume cataract workshops. Read about the latest two in our May Newsletter where over 1400 surgeries were provided. Also in May and with HCP support, Quiha Zonal Hospital received 8 pallets of Ophthalmic Equipment and a 13-seat Landcruiser for transporting patients. All pictures to the left are of Quiha Zonal Hospital clinical staff, HCP volunteer ophthalmologists and cataract patients before or after a high-volume cataract workshop. The video was taken in May and shows exuberant patients when the eye patches are removed. HCP is making progress in Ethiopia and appreciates your support in our continued efforts to rid the backlog of 40,000 people blind due to cataracts.
If you are in the San Fransicso area, please come and meet HCP co-founders, Drs. Ruit and Tabin, as well as board members and Staff. Well be at the HCP tent from 11:00 to 1:00 after the marathon on Sunday, July 31st on Embarcadero, just south of Howard Street.
For more information visit http://www.cureblindness.org
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DONATION: $100