Appeal to Lions

Welcome to our Web Site. This is an Invitation to the Lions Clubs of NSW and ACT to support the Save Sight Institute.   Greg Dunn Letter   •   Professor Billson & Ken Coles Letter   •   Aja's Mother Letter             SSI Annual Report   •   Donation Form

15th November 2006 Fellow Lions, 1984 became a milestone for the Lions of NSW, for it was in this year that we, as Lions, recognized the benefit of Sydney having an Institute attached to the Sydney Eye Hospital for research into the causes of blindness. In 1984, it was agreed by the Lions Clubs of NSW and the Lions NSW-ACT Save Sight Foundation to provide seed funding to establish The Save Sight Institute. In 1985, The Save Sight Institute was opened by the Governor of NSW, Sir James Rowland. Why Am I telling you this? Because, due to changes made by the Government regarding the allocation of funding for Infrastructure and Research, it appears that "Our" Institute may not be eligible to receive Governmental assistance to carry on this much needed research. I referred to it as "OUR INSTITUTE". Yes, and I meant it. Just because it does not have the word "Lions" preceding the name, remember, we started it; we have supported it; it is ours, we have three Lions on the Board and we are needed again to help it maintain it's impact into the causes of preventable blindness. The Lions NSW-ACT Save Sight Foundation has committed $50,000 per year for three years but more is needed. Many of you have heard me speak of the wondrous achievements in research and teaching of our Save Sight Institute. Achievements recognized world wide together with our Lions Professor of Eye Health, Professor Frank Billson. As Chairman of the Lions NSW-ACT Save Sight Foundation and a firm believer in the vision of Helen Keller when she referred to us as "Knights of the Blind", I appeal to each and every Club to get behind this request by Professor Frank Billson and Mr. Ken Coles, President of the Save Sight Institute, and offer your support to assist our Institute to continue its quest for the eradication of preventable blindness. Yours in Lionism Greg Dunn Chairman Web Site: www.lionssavesightfoundation.org.au

Dear Lions Member, As you know Lions provided the seed capital to start the Save Sight Institute in 1985. One of the most vital activities of the Save Sight Institute is its care of premature babies who previously could have died or been left blind from birth. Our program of early intervention, established by Professor Frank Billson AO, has meant survival, with a quality of life for children and their parents that was previously not possible. While we could relate the story of Aja in medical and technical terms, detailing the laser & surgical intervention, it is more immediate for you to read the account her mother has given in a recent letter (below). It is clear too that her mother’s devoted care has contributed enormously to the outcome. We are sure that once you have read the letter you will see it not only as a wonderful story of success, but also as an endorsement of our work at the Save Sight Institute in caring for premature babies and preventing the threat of blindness of prematurity. We hope your Club will support us by becoming a Member by making a donation at one of three levels to help not only children like Aja but all the other things we do. A copy of our Annual Report to you for 2005 and a donation form are included. We will, of course, invite you to our next Annual meeting in August 2007. It would be a great pleasure to welcome you. Yours sincerely,                   OUR VISION IS SIGHT FOR LIFE

Dear Prof B, Aja is now 16 years old and partway through the first year of a two-year plan for the NT Certificate of Education (Matric. equivalent). After such a tricky beginning (26 weeks membrane ruptured, 930 grams at birth, days later retinopathy of prematurity, laser surgery arrested the condition, later 2 retinal detachments), life now continues to be a journey of miracles with Aja. It's astounding that Aja caught up with her age group by the time she started school and has succeeded in all her studies thus far. She is so ambitious, but at the same time extremely frustrated by employment prospects. Those she approaches for work-experience assume they know better than she and give her advice she does not always want to hear. However, she continues to make progress at work and socially and last October commenced archery. Although she has low vision as defined by the World Health Organisation, she has been associated with The Wandering Archers Club at Humpty Doo in the NT. Aja shoots with a special bow and shafted arrows with extra bright coloured fletching. I spend as much time finding these arrows as I do shooting arrows. She can see the bright colour and she uses a monocular (special telescope). This enables her to study the target. She also uses her spectacles for distance and while shooting. Her vision with her better eye is less than a third of normal. Aja has proven to many experienced archers, that this sport is as much a mental/memory talent as being about vision. Also the consistency of focus and training and attention to safety are all critical.     Aja and her mother The whole archery experience is incredible and Aja has been in several events with fabulous results. She has taken part in the Australian Bow Hunters National Championships, winning two gold medals for the "barebow and sighted safari championships" in the Junior Girls. She studies hard and works hard at her sport. She would love the future goal to include paralympic style archery in the longer term, but as yet, the international association has not approved the sport sufficiently to include her. Aja knows she has a problem with her vision as she sees her friends getting their driving licences for which she is not eligible. Aja studies in Year 12 and is coping pretty well in her studies towards short story writing. Although only 16, she published short stories over summer and won a philosophical poet award last year, Junior NT short story writer in 2003, a community service Lions Club award for horse-riding with the disabled voluntary work 2004, scholarship in Year 11 Agriculture, VET Rural Skills certificate, endeavourship in Biology... am I bragging??! I do feel proud of her and I thank you and Save Sight Institute for being part of Aja's path and for the care and encouragement you have given in the past. We are honoured to give such a good news story after so many years. Keep up the good work Prof. from Aja's mother, Cedar.     Aja

THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SAVE SIGHT INSTITUTE   ( requires Adobe Reader, freely downloadable here )