In just a few short years, Operation Eyesight and our supporters have made a remarkable impact through the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon. This year marks our fourth consecutive year participating, with our team proudly donning Operation Eyesight jerseys to spread the message of eye health and raise funds for our Gift of Sight campaign. Last year, we raised INR 5,14,152, surpassing our goal of INR 5,00,000 for 2024 and exceeding our previous fundraising record.

A marathon that unites and inspires

Now in its 14th year, the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2025 is more than just a sporting event – it’s a movement that brings thousands of individuals together for a common cause, creating positive change. As one of the 20+ NGOs supported through the event, we are proud to be part of this inspiring community that champions healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, and women’s empowerment.

Donate Here

Discover more about our team members, meet the runners, and contribute to our fundraising mission by visiting the Operation Eyesight India team page.

Voices from the team: Why we run

Subhadip Bhattacharya, Head – Resource Mobilization at Operation Eyesight India, shares his experience:

“Every year, we challenge ourselves to go beyond limits – not just physically, but in our mission to eliminate avoidable vision loss. Running in this Marathon isn’t just about endurance; it’s about giving children the clear vision they need to learn and succeed. Every step we take represents a student who will now be able to see the blackboard clearly. Your support fuels this mission.”

To learn more or make a donation, visit our team page.

Reflecting on 2024’s success

In 2024, through our partner hospitals, vision centres, and outreach camps, we accomplished these remarkable milestones:

✅ Free eye screenings for 7,500 students
✅ 362 free pairs of spectacles distributed

This year, our goal is to reach even more people!

Join us: Be part of the movement

The NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2025, powered by IDFC First Bank and organized by Hyderabad Runners Society, has grown from 1,250 runners in 2011 to over 27,000 participants, making it India’s second-largest running event. The event aims to spread awareness about running, promote an active lifestyle and unite the city for a common cause.

Support Operation Eyesight at the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2025. Your generous donations will provide free spectacles for students and fund eye surgeries for senior citizens in need. Join us in preventing blindness and restoring sight. Give the Gift of Sight now and help us make 2025 our most impactful year yet!

👉 Donate today

🏃‍ Register with an Operation Eyesight charity bib

The post We are back in the race at NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2025 appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

Like any mom, Norma Bastidas would move mountains if she could, to help her child. While living in Calgary, AB eight years ago, Norma’s oldest son Karl was diagnosed with an eye condition that doctors told her would cause him to go blind. Norma was helpless to do anything to save his vision. She took up running as a way of relieving her stress, and to help her cope with Karl’s incurable condition.

Norma was shocked when she first learned that 80 percent of blindness can be treated or prevented. “It bothered me as a mother,” she says. “I couldn’t imagine being in the position where my son could be cured, but I just didn’t have the money for his treatment, or didn’t have access to eye care at all.”

The length of Norma’s runs and her ambition to do something grew, evolving into her first ultra-marathon. Through her 777 Run for Sight, Norma became an ambassador for millions of blind and visually impaired people around the world, raising significant funds for Operation Eyesight and other eye-related charities. She was the fastest woman in history to run seven marathons on seven continents in seven months. She might not be able to help Karl, but she could make a difference in many other lives.

This summer, Norma’s once again lacing up her shoes to support Operation Eyesight. In July, she’ll run 135 miles (217 km) across Death Valley, California – one of the hottest places on earth – in the Badwater® 135. Norma knows the race will be incredibly challenging, but says it’s nothing compared to the suffering many blind people face every day.

Norma’s vision is for all the world to see! We might not all be able to run across the desert, but we can help her vision come true.

In honour of Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 10), we’d like to challenge you to join Norma in this run by making a donation. Your support would mean the world to Norma – and to the many mothers and families who will benefit from your generosity.

To make a donation, visit operationeyesightindia.org/normasvision. Thank you for your support… for all the world to see!

You can read more about Norma and her sons on our blog here. And watch our newest video here.

The post A dedicated mother, athlete and ambassador of sight appeared first on Operation Eyesight.