Prevent Blindness America, the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight, is honoring world renowned actress Jane Seymour, Chicago Cubs' first baseman Derrek Lee and five outstanding corporate partners as recipients of the 2008 Visionary Award. Other special guests include Today Show personality Willard Scott. The awards will be presented at Prevent Blindness America's Centennial Gala at the Waldorf Astoria on January 10, 2008.
Seymour and Lee have been personally affected by vision problems through close family members. By witnessing the effects of macular degeneration in Seymour's mother and Leber's congenital amaurosis in Lee's daughter, both were inspired to help others learn about these diseases and the steps they can take to prevent vision loss.
"Although there is no cure for macular degeneration, I’m encouraged about the new advances being made to help curb the effects," said Seymour. "Simply through early diagnosis and treatment, the severity of vision loss can be lessened."
Lee added "We need to help protect our children's vision through education and access to quality vision services. Through organizations like Prevent Blindness America and the 1st Touch Foundation, we can work to save sight for our kids."
Gala emcee Willard Scott is hosting the evening, having been touched by vision loss through his long time friend and former radio disc jockey partner Ed Walker. Scott started out as a disc jockey for a local Washington, D.C. radio station with Walker, who has been blind since birth. Scott and Walker will both be in attendance to speak about the challenges of vision loss and importance of vision screenings. The pairs' well-known "Joy Boys" radio program remained on air for 19 years and the two have remained friends ever since.
"For many years I saw firsthand how blindness affected Ed," said Scott. "This celebration is our opportunity to tip our hats to organizations like Prevent Blindness America and all their supporters who understand the importance of preventive vision care and are doing something about it."
Although Prevent Blindness America is currently based in Chicago, the group will hold its celebration in New York, the birthplace of the organization. Five companies that have provided generous support to Prevent Blindness America over the years, Alcon, Allergan, Novartis, Pfizer and VSP, will also be honorees at the event.
“In 1908, two New York ophthalmologists decided to make a difference and improve vision care for infants,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “Thanks to our volunteers and supporters who continually donate their time and efforts to protecting vision, we’re embarking on our next century of saving sight.”
Individual tickets may be purchased for $500 each online at www.preventblindness.net/gala. Tables for up to 10 persons are also available. Ticket prices include cocktails and entertainment, a full-course dinner, awards ceremony and the Prevent Blindness America Centennial commemorative book, and an opportunity to bid on items from the silent auction.
For reservations or more information, please contact Colleen Robbins at 312-363-6023 or crobbins@preventblindness.org.
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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