INDEPENDENT NEWS

Santa has a new eye this Christmas

Published: Fri 11 Dec 2009 10:06 AM
Santa has a new eye this Christmas
Auckland’s Santa has a new eye this Christmas, but thousands of people in the Pacific are still waiting for Santa to bring them one too
For just $25, you can help The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ restore sight to the thousands of people across the Pacific who are waiting for cataract surgery.
Visit www.giveamiracle.org.nz or phone 0800 227 229 to make a donation
Recession-hit Kiwis can put their hard-earned money to good use this Christmas and give a Miracle of Sight that will help to restore sight to thousands of people throughout the Pacific.
A $25 Miracle of Sight from the Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand can help fund a cataract operation that will turn someone’s life around forever, by giving them back one of the most precious gifts of all – their eye sight.
Dr John Szetu, Director of The Foundation’s Pacific Eye Institute in Fiji, has been a bit of a Santa for some time. He has given sight back to more than 12,000 people across the Pacific in his 20 year career and is still moved each time some-one can see again.
“The impact of each surgery truly does have a ripple effect right through these communities; people get their independence back – they can work again, look after their families and enjoy all that life has to offer.”
The Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand has trained doctors and nurses from 11 Pacific Island nations since it began working in the Pacific in 2002. Through the course of this training the Foundation and its students restore the sight of thousands and test the eye health of many thousands more every year. Every doctor trained goes on to restore sight to around 10,000 people throughout their professional career.
Kiwi eye surgeon and humanitarian, the late Professor Fred Hollows, pioneered the introduction of modern cataract surgery to developing countries, with a ground-breaking 20 minute surgery at very low cost. His legacy is continued through the work of Dr Szetu within the Pacific.
You can get your miracle or make a donation online at www.giveamiracle.org.nz or by phone on 0800 227 229. You can also find a miracle at Specsavers stores nationwide.
ENDS

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