Lions have been committed to stem the rising tide of blindness in Canada and globally.

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Ever since 1925 when Helen Keller challenged Lions to become “Knights of the Blind in crusade against Darkness”, Lions have been committed to stem the rising tide of blindness in Canada and globally.

True to this commitment Toronto Netralya Lions Club ((TNLC) and Doctors Lions Club (DLC) took on the challenge for preventable blindness and held a fund raising “LIONS UNITE FOR SIGHT” Gala for the benefit of CNIB-Canadian National Institute for the Blind and KK Eye Institute of Pune India, Miles apart, yet providing most important services to their communities. Over $ 60,000 was raised for CNIB, K.K Eye Institute of Pune, India and Retinoblastoma Program at princess Margret Hospital Foundation.

The focus of CNIB is on protection and prevention today, as well as on treatments and cures for tomorrow. Research is one of CNIB’s founding principles. It commits significant dollars annually to fund projects on ways to cure, treat and prevent eye disease and improve the quality of life for people living with vision loss.
The focus of KK Eye Institute is, to provide services to the underprivileged, physically challenged and the less-fortunate people living in remote villages often forgotten by the rest of the world.
Over 500 guests from financial, business, political and cultural sectors along with Lions dignitaries attended the Gala. The event opened with a message from Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper delivered by Minister Peter Kent, M.P. Laudatory messages were also received from many federal and provincial leaders and International President of Lions Clubs International. Among the distinguished guests were H.E. Mr. S.M. Gavai, High Commissioner of India, Hon. Rob Oliphant, M.P. Hon. Harinder Takhar, MPP, Hon. Senator Vim Kochhar, Hon. Navdeep Bains, M.P, Hon. Kunjar Sharma Honorary Consul General of Nepal to Canada, DG Lion Bill Speck, PDG Lion Bill Allison and many other lions’ club members.
The Gala Dinner culminated with the announcement of additional $50,000 endowment fund for CNIB by platinum sponsor, leading Indo-Canadian philanthropist Mr. Vasu Chanchlani and his wife, Dr. Jayshree Chanchlani, who were inspired by CNIB’s strong partnership with the Toronto Netralya Lions Club and the Doctors Lions Club. for a yearly research fellowship award. (CNIB Chanchalani Global Vision Research Award)
This award is international in scope and the first of its kind. The purpose of the fund is to establish the CNIB Chanchlani Global Vision Research Award, the first of its kind in Canada. The international award will be presented annually to recognize research that helps reduce the impact of vision loss in people’s lives. In its inaugural year the award will begin at $10,000 with the potential to grow.

-Pic by Bashir Nasir