How many times did you just sit there, gazing lovingly at your new baby, watching them sleep, so peacefully, so innocently?

I’m sure you remember the very first moment you laid eyes on your son or daughter. That first glimpse of my precious baby girl is a moment I hope I never forget.

It’s also a moment I’ve reflected on many times. And every time, I’m overwhelmed by a feeling of gratitude.

I’m so grateful that I can SEE my daughter and watch her grow. I see her raise and furrow her eyebrows as she concentrates intently on a new toy. I see her break into a giant smile when I arrive to pick her up from daycare. I see her father reflected in every little expression she makes.

I’m also incredibly grateful that she can SEE me. Sometimes, as I’m rocking with her before bed, she just stares up at me, her beautiful blue eyes piercing my soul. She’ll cradle my cheek in her little hand, just as I’ve done to her many times.

Living in Canada, I know that I’m fortunate to have access to quality health care, and fortunate that eye care is embedded in our health care system. I know all too well that this isn’t the case for millions of people around the world.

One of the very first decisions I had to make as a new mom was whether or not to give my daughter an eye antibiotic to help prevent infection, a routine procedure done right in the hospital after a baby is born. The fact that I even had the option is incredible.

When my daughter was six months old, I excitedly took her to the eye doctor for her first eye exam, which was provided free of cost. When she got her first case of pink eye, I was able to get her a prescription right away. Both times, I felt incredibly lucky to have these services available to me and my family.

Today, my toddler’s (I still can’t believe she’s a toddler already!) favourite accessory is her sunglasses, which she calls her “eyes”. Yes, my girl, you can wear your “eyes” every time we leave the house, as you insist. I’ve been taught how important it is to protect your eyes from the sun, and we’re fortunate to live in a country where we have access to affordable sunglasses and other eyewear.

As Mother’s Day approaches and I reflect on my journey as a new mom, I can’t help but think of the mothers living halfway around the world, suffering from avoidable blindness and trying so desperately to care for their families with limited vision. Many of them don’t know that help is available, or they can’t afford treatment. Often all they need is a simple cataract surgery to restore their sight, their dignity, their hope.

I also think of the moms who are helplessly watching their children suffer from avoidable blindness, worrying what kind of future they’ll have if they can’t see to go to school and someday find employment. Many don’t know that a pair of prescription eyeglasses could transform their child’s life forever.

While it can be easy to be overcome with guilt and sadness as I think of these mothers, I find comfort in knowing this: there is a solution, and I can help.

By supporting Operation Eyesight, I can help these mothers and their children. I can help community health workers screen families for eye health problems and refer patients for care. I can help Operation Eyesight’s partner hospitals provide cataract surgeries, prescription eyeglasses and other treatment free of charge for those in need.

I might never meet the families I am helping, but I know that, as a monthly donor to Operation Eyesight, I’m transforming lives, month after month, year after year.

You can help, too.

This Mother’s Day, I invite you to make a donation in honour of your mother and mothers everywhere. You can even send your mom (or sister, or mother-in-law, or grandma or daughter) a customized eCard when you give a gift in her name.

Every mother has the right to see her child, and every child has the right to see their mother.

Thank you for your support, and Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there!

The post This one’s for all the moms out there… appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

“Canadians are known throughout the world for their compassionate efforts to make a difference in the lives of others. As a country, we would not have this reputation without the tireless work of people like you who have committed themselves to making the world a better place.

All those involved in building this organization into what it has become today deserve to be recognized for their skills and dedication; your generosity, both of time and heart, is truly remarkable. Let this occasion be an opportunity to recognize your invaluable contributions to the prevention of blindness and to the improvement of quality of life in developing countries.”

The Right Honourable David Johnston
Governor General of Canada

“Avoidable blindness is a serious concern in the developing world, where inadequate water and sanitation, malnutrition, and a lack of proper medical care rob millions of people of the precious gift of sight.

I would like to commend all those associated with Operation Eyesight for their commitment to the fight against global blindness. You can take satisfaction in knowing that you have made and continue to make a profound difference in the lives of so many people, the world over.”

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada

“I spent many years in the developing world and witness the importance of international development organizations, such as yours, in preventing life threatening diseases and improving eye care. Your work is essential in giving hope to those at risk of blindness and improving their quality of life.

Providing compassionate support and quality treatment is an important part of eye care. It brings optimism and a sense of stability to those in need. I am hopeful that Albertans will become active participants in your vision. Your commitment to preventing and treating avoidable blindness is an inspiration and an example to be followed.”

The Honourable Alison Redford
Premier of Alberta

“On behalf of the citizens of Calgary and my City Council colleagues, I congratulate Operation Eyesight on 50 years of serving people around the world.

Those of us fortunate enough to live in Canada are often unaware of how environmental factors in the developing world can cause blindness. Operation Eyesight works with partners in communities in Africa and India to provide quality eye care programs and sustainable community development. For the people Operation Eyesight assists, the ability to see is often the difference between a life of poverty and a life of promise.”

His Worship Naheed Nenshi
Mayor of Calgary

To read more letters of congratulation that we’ve received, click here and here.

The post ‘The difference between a life of poverty and a life of promise’ appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

When Ron’s 18-year old daughter Tamara died in 1982, a family friend sent them a tribute card and gave a donation in her name to Operation Eyesight. The generous gesture touched their hearts.

“We thought this tribute was a lovely thing to do, and since then, we have been donating every year in Tamara’s memory. In fact, we have left a bequest in our wills to Operation Eyesight as an acknowledgement of her,” explains Margaret.

The couple has an additional appreciation for vision, since Ron has had his own severe eye health problems (including a number of corneal transplants) since he was 17. “Our support of Operation Eyesight just kind of fits together,” he says.

Both originally from the United Kingdom, Ron and Margaret are now retired and living on Vancouver Island, BC. They enjoy reading Operation Eyesight’s newsletter, SightLines, which provides regular updates on patients and programs. “It’s nice to see where our money is being spent,” says Margaret. “We know Operation Eyesight will use the donation where it’s needed most.”

“We feel our money is going to a good cause,” adds Ron. “We tell other people about the good work you’re doing overseas. Restoring eyesight always gives you a good feeling, and we know our money is being spent wisely.”

The couple find it easy to imagine what Operation Eyesight’s patients would say if they were here. “I think they would be very thankful, and express great joy to have their eyesight restored,” says Ron.

Margaret adds, “… particularly if they were in a situation where they didn’t have access to health care. Eyesight is a tremendous gift – so precious.”

You can read more about our amazing donors here and here.

* Name changed by request

The post Thanks to you, Margaret and Ron Smith appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

Dean and his team of 17 runners all pitched in to fundraise. “The key was reaching out to both business and personal connections,” explains Dean. “And you just never know where the donations will come from!”

Case in point: the day after the June 23 run, Dean got a Facebook message from a woman who wanted to chat and make a donation. It wasn’t someone he knew, so he thought it might be a ruse. Nonetheless, they connected by phone and he found out she was the aunt of one of his teammates. After traveling to Africa years before, she understood the need for clean water, but had never found the right organization to support. To Dean’s surprise and delight, she donated $5,000!

“We’re still in shock,” laughs Dean. “That put us over our goal and now we’d really like to get to $20,000.”

He credits their success to his great team and Rivka Lipsey, the director of Communications and Marketing for the Mechanical Contractors Association of British Columbia (MCABC), who was “the heart, soul and backbone. She kept us all in line!”

And the best part of all… Dean and the MCABC team have fundraised enough to drill four wells in Zambia! On behalf of the children, women and men who will have clean water and a brighter future, thank you:

To help Dean and his team reach their $20,000 goal, click here. 

The post Run for “Well”ness smashes fundraising goal appeared first on Operation Eyesight.