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Press Release

Run for Vision Foundation

Santara, Female, aged about 48 years, resident of Jhundsarai village had lost her eye sight many years back and also her hope with it. She suffered from corneal blindness and her condition was reversible only if a donor cornea could be found. On Saturday, February 26th even as this event was being planned for enhancing awareness about eye donation, Santara got her vision back as a donor cornea was transplanted by Y P Mahindru Eye bank, free of any charge and none could be happier. Similar is the story of Sharief, 42 years, a resident of Faridabad who got his vision back after 7 years of darkness.

To make sure that more Santaras and Shariefs get their vision back, tshousands of Gurgaon citizens especially college students, senior citizens, a large team from CRPF, BSF, school children did forgo Sunday morning sleep and lined up for a fun filled ‘Walkathon 5 K 2011’, to help spread awareness about eye donation in a healthy and fun-filled way. Despite looming exams, a large number of students also came in to convey their support for eradication of corneal blindness.

Walkathon was flagged off by Mr S S Deswal, Police Commissioner, Gurgaon and Dr T N Ahooja, President, Niramaya, long with many dignitaries and prominent Gurgaon citizens who also joined the walk. Both of them also pledged eye donation on the spot and encouraged everyone to do so. Mr Deswal himself has pledged to donate eyes and urged everyone to join. He also quipped that health benefits of such efforts as running and walking are a natural and welcome additional benefit while enhancing awareness.

Run for Vision is a not for profit initiative, brainchild of Mr Ashok Mahindru, Chairman Advance group and a leading city based philanthropist. Run for Vision has been specially set itself to plan and organize various events to enhance awareness about eye donation and raise resources for grass root NGOs like Niramaya to continue their efforts in preventing blindness and vision restoration. Mr Ashok Mahindru said that key is involving local citizens.

Walkathon 5 K, was managed by Riya Communications’ Sanjay Kapoor, who is already well known for organizing various fashion industry events. Mr Kapoor feels that the idea is powerful and needs to be well publicized through media,. Some of the leading models are also expected to join the walkathon. Azadi, Faridabad based music band led by Amit provided popular numbers including a special one composed for eye donation. There were many fun filled activities alongside to make the event a fun filled day.

Niramaya, a grass root Gurgaon based NGO has been spearheading an ongoing campaign to enhance awareness about eye donation. Virender Pankaj, Secretary, Niramaya feels that efforts must be broadened to include all forms of preventable and curable blindness. For example, Cataract still accounts for over 50% of blindness in India and is easily preventable. This can be contrasted with an annual level of about 100 eye donations in Haryana in pre Niramaya era. Dr Hitendra Ahooja, Medical Director, Niramaya expressed hope that soon the number would exceed 1000 per annum in Gurgaon like Hyderabad as against annual number of around 100 in pre Niramaya era. In first two months this year, 32 eye donations have taken place, more than entire 2005 when the campaign was launched.

A strong volunteer team of about 100 volunteers led by Ashutosh Mahindru and Piyush Agrawal worked overnight to help with the organization and flawless execution. VLCC, DIS Technology, fashion Curry.com, Tej Kohli Foundation chipped in with useful support for the event sponsorship.

Background

Why Walkathon?

India has 2.1 million Corneal Blind persons, many can see again, if a Cornea transplant is performed. Only source of Corneas is eye donation which must be performed with in about 6 hours of death. Sadly, average no. of eye donations in India languishes at about 38,000 per annum implying that even an impossible wait of 112 years will not help most.

Niramaya, a young Gurgaon based NGO, and Run for Vision Foundation have pledged to put Gurgaon on top in eye donations through a sustained awareness campaign. As a result of all round efforts made, more than 500 Corneas have been donated by Gurgaon citizens.

Get in Touch

Eye Donation Number

  • (+0124) 2254848 | 1919 (National)
  • contact@niramayatrust.org
  • 560/1 Dayanand Colony,
    New Railway Road,
    Gurgaon (Haryana).