Ludhiana, September 03, 2022 (News Team): To create awareness on corneal blindness and its prevention and treatment, Sankara Eye Hospital, today conducted an eye donation awareness walkathon in association with Lions Club Ludhiana Vegetarian and Indian Bank in line with the ongoing 37th National Eye Donation Fortnight. Lion Mukesh Madan, District Coordinator, Lions Club International Foundation flagged off the 2km walkathon from Durga Mata Mandir,Durgi.
Over 150 Doctors, Hospital Admin Staff, Lions club members, Bank Officials, Sr. Citizens, Social Workers, Bank Officials, representatives from various NGO’s participated in the walkathon. Five participants blind folded their eyes and marched with other participants to spread awareness about the importance of how the eye donation can help people to restore vision who are suffering from corneal blindness.
Commenting on the need for awareness about eye donation, Ravinder Pal Chawla, Unit Head, Sankara Eye Hospital, Ludhiana, said: “There is an urgent need to create awareness on the need to donate eyes and break myths and stereotypes around eye donation. Any person can pledge to donate eyes after their death and it is entirely safe. The donation can be made regardless of gender, age, religion or blood group and this will certainly have a positive impact in addressing blindness, a major public health problem in India”.
Speaking on the walkathon, Lion Avtar Singh, Committee Chairperson-Vision said: “There is a huge gap between demand of donor cornea tissues and supply. The need of the hour is to increase awareness among people about the importance of eye donation. We are happy to collaborate with Sankara Eye Hospital for this walkathon, urging people to come forward and pledge to donate eyes”.
From each pair of donated eyes, at least two blind people will get vision and light into their life, thus making it one of the noblest acts of mankind. Therefore, on this National Eye Donation Fortnight, let us pledge to bestow the gift of sight and give an opportunity for the visually impaired people to see our beautiful world.