From darkness to light through sight
THE IDAHO LIONS EYE BANK
Helping restore sight to those afflicted with corneal blindness and facilitating the wishes of humanitarian individuals who wish to donate their eyes upon death. Corneal transplants in Idaho are 99% successful. Anyone can be an eye donor. Age and eyesight is not a factor.
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE
In 2008, the Lions personal assistance program helped 60 Idaho and Eastern Oregon individuals obtain necessary surgeries that they would not have been able to obtain due to poverty. The personal assistance fund helped pay for cataract surgeries, corneal transplants, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, glaucoma surgery and cochlear implants, to name a few.
MOBILE SCREENING UNIT
The Foundation operates a 35 foot mobile health screening unit. The MSU travels the state providing screening of blood pressure, vision, glaucoma, hearing and diabetes. The unit is used at elementary schools, health fairs, migrant farm camps and corporate health screenings. The screenings are free of charge to the participants. The unit is on the road 150 days a year and screens approximately 40,000 individuals a year.
EYE GLASS AND HEARING AID RECYCLING
The Lions Foundation and the 2,200 Lion members from 82 clubs in Eastern Oregon, Southwest Idaho and Eastern Idaho help collect, sort and distribute used eyeglasses and hearing aids to needy individuals in Idaho and distressed countries. Last year the Lions collected 65,000 pairs of glasses that were hand carried to different parts of the world. We also collected over 500 pairs of hearing aids that were refurbished and redistributed in Easter Oregon and Idaho.
HEARING AID ASSISTANCE AND HEARING AID BANK
The Lions Foundation helps financially disadvantaged individuals purchase hearing aids through the Lions Ear Program with the help of local audiologist. We also help maintain a loaner hearing aid bank. Last year the Foundation helped over 30 individuals by purchasing hearing aids.
DIABETES AWARENESS
Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death and affects almost every part of the body. It leads to blindness and heart disease. Diabetes cost the U.S. 132 billion dollars. Therefore, the Foundation has taken a proactive approach to get the word out about diabetes. Screenings can also be done through the Lions Foundation Mobile Screening Unit.