In a remarkable effort to combat childhood blindness in India, the Eye Foundation of America (EFA), in collaboration with Grant Thornton, the Gautami Institute, and the Rotary Club District 3011 (Delhi), hosted the “Hope for Tomorrow” fundraiser at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on January 31, 2025. The event successfully raised over $500,000, which was matched by the EFA, bringing the total to over $1 million. Additionally, philanthropist Sam Maddula pledged to double the funds raised during the event, further amplifying the impact of the initiative.
A Personal Testimony of Transformation
Sam Maddula, Pharm.D., a distinguished leader and philanthropist, shared his inspiring journey from blindness to sight during the event. Born in a rural village in India, Sam was legally blind with limited prospects. His life took a transformative turn when his parents discovered an eye camp organized by the EFA in 1987 in Andhra Pradesh. The foundation facilitated his visa to the United States, where Dr. Vadrevu K. Raju, founder of the EFA, performed dual corneal transplant surgeries on him shortly after his second birthday, free of charge. Reflecting on this life-changing experience, Sam stated, “My life went from literal darkness to pure sunlight.”
The Mission to Eradicate Childhood Blindness
Dr. Vadrevu K. Raju, a world-renowned ophthalmologist and philanthropist, has dedicated over four decades to eliminating avoidable blindness, particularly among children. Under his leadership, the EFA has transformed the lives of millions through eye surgeries and preventive care. The funds raised from the “Hope for Tomorrow” fundraiser are earmarked for:
- Establishing 100 Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) screening centers across India.
- Training 500 healthcare professionals in ROP screening and treatment.
- Treating 10,000 ROP-affected babies annually across the country.
- Understanding the Impact of Childhood Blindness
Childhood blindness has profound implications. Approximately 75% of visually impaired children never attend school, and blindness reduces employability by 50%, leading to increased poverty and social isolation. In India, of the 3.5 million premature babies born annually, nearly 600,000 are born before 32 weeks of gestation. With advancements in neonatal care, over 200,000 children are at risk of developing ROP, a condition that can lead to irreversible blindness if not detected and treated early.
A Call to Action
Dr. Raju emphasized the preventable nature of childhood blindness and urged collective action to eradicate it. “Every child deserves to see the world with clarity and purpose. Let’s join hands to eradicate childhood blindness and unlock a brighter future for generations to come,” he stated.
Lord Rami Ranger, a philanthropist and successful businessman from the United Kingdom, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that childhood blindness is a solvable problem requiring collective action. “Together, we can ensure that every child has access to quality eye care and a chance to reach their full potential,” he remarked.
About the Eye Foundation of America
Founded in 1979, the Eye Foundation of America has been at the forefront of combating avoidable blindness in India and 31 other developing countries. Through service, teaching, and research, the EFA has screened and treated over 3.5 million individuals, including one million school children, performed hundreds of thousands of surgeries, and trained numerous eye care professionals. The foundation’s mission is to create a world where every child can see, learn, and thrive without the shadows of blindness.