 California Representative John Campbell and Eyes on Capitol Hill Advocate Kevin Zepfel
CHICAGO (Feb. 25, 2008) – Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization, celebrated the success of the third annual "Eyes on Capitol Hill" campaign, held in Washington, DC. The program provides participants the opportunity to meet with their own state’s legislators and share their personal experiences with vision loss. Through the event, vision advocates had nearly 150 appointments with Members of Congress and Congressional staff to educate important decision makers about the need for continued funding for research and programs to prevent vision loss.
"For the third consecutive year, advocates gave a voice to vision in congressional meetings," said Daniel D. Garrett, senior vice president of Prevent Blindness America. "Through their participation, our delegates were able to put a face on vision health issues and educate lawmakers on what more needs to be done in the fight to prevent blindness and vision loss."
After hundreds of applications were submitted, Prevent Blindness America selected more than 70 people to serve as delegates for the event. Adults and children who have had their vision impacted by either eye disease or eye injuries were sponsored by Prevent Blindness America to attend. All travel expenses were covered by the organization.
"We would like to thank all of our participants for allowing us to help them tell their stories," added Garrett. "We hope that through their experience with Eyes on Capitol Hill that they will be inspired to become vision care advocates in their own states."
In the United States today, one in 20 preschool children has a vision problem, and for adults, the estimated cost associated with adult vision diseases is $51.4 billion annually. As federal and state budget cuts continue to threaten public access to quality vision care services, Prevent Blindness America and its affiliates are helping to introduce bills across the country to help fund vision programs. Through events such as Eyes on Capitol Hill, the group hopes to raise the consciousness level of government leaders to the impact that vision health has on the economy and quality of life for Americans.
For more information on Eyes on Capitol Hill or on how you can contact your state representative to ask for their support on vision-related issues, call Prevent Blindness America at 1-800-331-2020 or visit www.preventblindness.org/advocacy.
Download a pdf version of this release.
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, divisions and chapters, it's committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020.
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