Help someone see again.

Dear Reader, Beyond the obvious human and social costs, the economic impact of blindness is immense. Studies show that a reduction in blindness can help developing countries achieve more than $300 billion in economic productivity over the next 20 years.  For more than 60 years, Sight Savers International has been working to combat blindness in developing countries, providing specialist treatment and eye care. I hope you will consider supporting their efforts this year.  Don Hazen, Executive Editor, AlterNet.org

Dear Reader, What is your New Year's resolution for 2010? In 2008, Sight Savers International helped carry out more than 250,000 sight-saving cataract operations and treat over 3.7 million people for potentially blinding conditions. This year, we're resolved to reach even more - but we can't do it without your help. Too many people around the world become needlessly, tragically blind, but many cures for blindness are incredibly simple. Most cases can be treated - just $28 for a cataract operation - or prevented with medicines that cost just a few pennies. Can you make a New Year's resolution to help Sight Savers make a difference in 2010, with your gift of $25, $50 or even $100? When Santosh Devi started to lose her eyesight from cataracts, things were tough on her three kids, her husband, and the in-laws in her Indian household. She couldn't cook, feed the animals, or fetch water for her family. "Slowly the situation got so bad that I could hardly see, and was unable to perform any of the household work," she explains. Then Santosh found out about a screening camp run by a Sight Savers partner hospital in a nearby village. She was diagnosed with cataract in both eyes, and referred to the hospital for surgery. After the "fear and joy" of her operation, the first thing she saw was her husband... and couldn't wait to get home to see the rest of her family. I'm so proud of the work Sight Savers has accomplished in our 60 years of working around the world. But there is so much work yet to be done - and I hope you can be a part of it. There are millions of people around the world - many in the poorest countries of Africa and Asia - who still desperately need treatment, medicines and rehabilitation to cope with the life-changing effects of blindness. Thank you for your support. Sincerely,   Carol Maughan Head of Supporter Care Sight Savers International Sight Savers International | 1000 N West St, Suite 1200, Wilmington, DE 19801 | (800) 707-9746

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