The Fred Hollows Foundation has recognised the Ballina community for its strong and ongoing support, as local donors continue to help restore sight to people in need around the world despite rising cost-of-living pressures.
Over the past year, 701 Ballina residents donated a combined $235,757 to the Foundation, with 28 new donors joining their ranks. The contributions are helping carry forward Professor Fred Hollows’ vision of ending avoidable blindness.
The impact of Ballina’s generosity can be seen in the story of Blaise, a seven-year-old from Rwanda’s Kayonza district. A cataract had left him blind in one eye and losing vision in the other, putting him at risk of total blindness. His mother, Redempta, a single farm worker, was unable to afford treatment until a community health team supported by the Foundation reached their village.
Following surgery at Kabgayi Eye Unit, Blaise regained his sight. When his eye patch was removed, he embraced his mother and said, “I can see. I can see you mum!” He has since returned to school and is once again playing football.
Founding director Gabi Hollows thanked Ballina residents for their contribution to stories like Blaise’s.
“In a year marked by ongoing cost of living pressures and global uncertainty, I want to take a moment to reflect on the countless people whose lives have been transformed after having their sight restored thanks to the generosity of everyday Australians.
“Fred used to say that we discover our own humanity when we help others. Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to a world where no one is needlessly blind.
“It could be a mother returning to work, a grandparent seeing their grandchild for the first time, or a child able to learn and thrive at school. Thank you, Ballina, for your generosity in helping us restore sight to those who need it most.”
Chief executive Ross Piper said support from communities like Ballina was critical to the Foundation’s global impact.
“Thanks to Australians who choose to give, preventable blindness is being treated every single day across the world because of their generosity. Support from the public is turning compassion into action and into lasting change for communities around the world.”
This year, the Foundation aims to conduct 5.2 million eye screenings, distribute 11.8 million doses of antibiotics for trachoma, and deliver community health education to 1.6 million people globally.
For more information, visit www.hollows.org or call 1800 352 352.
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