Allan John Bruce Named a Leader in Lions Worldwide Sight Campaign
Tuakau, New Zealand (10 May 2005) – Allan John Bruce of Tuakau, New Zealand, has been named to one of the top 60
leadership positions in Lions Clubs International’s worldwide US$150 million fundraising campaign to combat blindness.
The campaign will expand and enhance Lions’ SightFirst programme which has saved more than 24 million people from severe
vision loss since its launch in 1990.
As a National/Multi-National Co-ordinator of Campaign SightFirst 11, he will organise 462
Lions Clubs in New Zealand and the South Pacific and help them conduct fundraising at the local level. Bruce, a past
district governor of Lions Clubs International, recently travelled to Sydney, Australia, to consult with top Lions
leaders including Tae-Sup Lee, a past president of the international association, who is chairperson of the campaign.
Lions have long been champions of the blind but SightFirst has taken their sight work to a new level. Funded with US$143
million raised by Lions 1991-94, it was the first
co-ordinated, worldwide effort of its kind and moved Lions to the forefront in the international effort to eliminate
avoidable blindness. Its projects have provided free cataract surgery to 4.6 million people, 65 million yearly
treatments for blindness caused by infectious diseases, and eye care training for 68,500 health workers in developing
countries.
The US$150 million raised through Campaign SightFirst II will continue SightFirst’s work and expand its scope to combat
emerging threats to sight, including glaucoma and diabetic eye disease.
“Lions are committed to preserving vision for all and will not allow the world’s blind population to grow from 37 to 78
million as predicted by the World Health Organisation,” said
Past International President Lee. “I have the utmost confidence that Past District Governor Bruce will lead the Lions of
New Zealand and the South Pacific to success in this important effort.”
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organisation with nearly 1.4 million members in 46,000
clubs in 193 countries and geographic areas. In addition to its efforts toward conquering blindness, the organisation
has made a strong commitment to community service and helping youth throughout the world. To learn more about the
SightFirst programme, visit the Lions Clubs International Foundation Website at www.lcif.org.
ENDS