The Mount Cheam Lions Club believes that there is nothing more precious than the gift of sight. Their Centennial Legacy Project was inspired by Helen Keller’s plea to Lions in 1925 to become Knights of the Blind.
Two thousand volunteer hours and 11 months later, the club’s project was completed in January 2017. These Lions raised a whopping $600,000 for cataract surgical equipment for the Eye Centre at Chilliwack General Hospital in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.
“Sight is a major program with Lions Clubs International worldwide and we wanted to celebrate the Centennial with a lasting legacy in our community,” said Dave Mackintosh, chair of the club’s Centennial Legacy Project. “There was a pressing need to upgrade the equipment in this area at our local hospital and we jumped at the chance to help.”
Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 40, and are the principal cause of blindness in the world, according to Prevent Blindness America (PBA).
The Mount Cheam Lions Club partnered with the Steller’s Jay Lions Club on the project, and members gave more than 19 presentations to area service clubs, the city council and the Regional Hospital District. This not only helped raise a lot of money, it also spread the word about their club and the fantastic work that Lions do worldwide. They also received a matching grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF).
Patients will now enjoy the latest technology when they have their cataract surgeries at the Eye Centre. The new equipment also ensures safer and faster recoveries. More than 5,300 surgeries are done annually at the center.
The health authority is naming the Eye Centre the “Mount Cheam Lions Club Eye Center,” the two procedure rooms will be called “Steller’s Jay Lions Club Procedure Room 1 & 2,” and the preparation area will be the “Lions Clubs International Foundation Preparation Area.”
The club has planned a celebration event for its Legacy Project on April 25, 2017 in Chilliwack. Guests will include a host of Lions dignitaries from far and wide.
All around the world, Lions are working to preserve the precious gift of sight.
