Of course, none of Operation Eyesight’s work could happen without your generosity. And as a result, amazing things are happening. Big things – like vision centres and blindness prevention programs and even entire health care systems.

And the big things are even more astounding when we look at them as their individual parts. Remember Ruth? Ruth started having vision problems when she was just five years old. Her teacher and her parents feared for her future. She couldn’t see the board at school, no matter where she sat in the classroom.

For children living in Africa and Asia (especially girls), getting an education is the one sure path to building a brighter future. Without it, the future can look very dim.

Ruth, and many others like her, live in poor and remote communities. Because of this, they don’t have access to quality eye health care, or eye health care education. And even if they do, more often than not, they can’t afford the treatment they need.

But thanks to your support, Ruth, and others like her, have been given such a loving gift – the Gift of Sight! Ruth received cataract surgery free of charge to her and her family.

Your support has helped thousands of people in Africa and Asia to this day. And we at Operation Eyesight can’t thank you enough for opening your heart to those who aren’t as fortunate as we are, with access to quality health care. If you’re a Canadian, then your costs are even covered by the government.

What’s more is that we know there are all kinds of good causes out there, all vying for your attention.

It can be a real challenge to raise awareness about the plight of the blind of Asia and Africa… but that’s why we appreciate you so much. By supporting Operation Eyesight, you have extended your hearts and minds to people on the other side of the planet – people you’ve never met, but you care about them all the same. And that’s incredible!

We at Operation Eyesight have met many of the people you’ve helped, and they all say the same thing: “You have given me back my sight and now I can live again. Thank you, thank you!”

We may be the ones who hear these words, but our patients understand that their eyesight was restored because someone far away sent a generous gift. When they say thank you, they say it with heartfelt emotion, and they’re saying it to you.

And we at the Calgary office also want to say from the bottom of our hearts, thank you, thank you! For all that you do – For All The World To See.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The post A warm “thank you!” from people around the world. appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

Seriously, here in our Calgary office we care a great deal for the people who support our work. Many of you have been dropping by the office or sending cheques for years. Some of you are like family.

Other times, we’ll get a big cheque in the mail or receive an encouraging phone call from far away, and the news will travel through the building like wildfire. Hearing about new donors is always a big thrill because that tells us our message is getting through.

Of course, none of Operation Eyesight’s work could happen without your generosity. And as a result, amazing things are happening. Big things – like new hospitals and blindness prevention programs and even entire health care systems. But also smaller things, like a man or woman leaving the eye clinic, squinting into the sunlight and saying something like: “Hey, it’s bright out here. I had forgotten how bright the sun could be.”

There are all kinds of good causes out there, all vying for your attention. Local causes have the best chance of raising money and profile because half the time, the cause is something that affects the donors personally.

Drawing attention to the plight of the blind of India and Africa can be a big challenge, I won’t deny it. But that’s another reason why we appreciate you so much. By supporting Operation Eyesight, you have extended your hearts and minds to people on the other side of the planet – people you care about, but will probably never meet. But I have met them, and here’s what I hear them say: “You have given me back my sight and now I can live again. Thank you, thank you!”

I may be the one who hears these words, but our patients understand that their eyesight was restored because someone far away sent a gift. When they say thank you, often with great emotion, they’re saying it to you.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

We’d love to hear from you. click the “Leave a comment” button below to comment on this post, or just to say hi.

The post Our donors are the best! appeared first on Operation Eyesight.