Miracles Day is just around the corner on Thursday, 19 August – and this year we share a big goal to raise 50,000 Miracles. Miracles that will provide sight-saving surgery to people going needlessly blind from cataracts in some of the poorest places on earth.
That’s 50,000 lives changed, in addition to the 199,420 Miracles that Australians have generously donated on previous Miracles Days.
Now in its ninth year, 96three FM partnership with CBM has helped Australians to dig deep and make an unforgettable difference to the lives of people less fortunate than they are. Since it began, 199,420 Miracles of sight gave been donated.
What is a Miracle? A Miracle is a life-changing surgery that restores the vision of someone with cataracts.
Cataracts are the leading cause of low vision or blindness in developing countries. A cataract is a milky clouding of the eye lens, which is like looking through a foggy camera lens. It reduces clear vision and, if left untreated, can lead to permanent vision impairment or blindness.
The good news is that this sight-saving surgery – which involves replacing the clouded lens with a clear, durable, artificial lens – is safe and quick, often done in just 12 minutes.
Each Miracle costs just $33, about the price of two movie tickets or a take-away dinner. It’s effective too, with about 90% of people who have cataract surgery enjoying better vision as a result.
The majority of people living with untreated cataracts are in developing countries where they cannot afford surgery or are unable to access health care, meaning they are going needlessly blind.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic impact on people with disabilities, including those with cataracts, making it even more challenging for them to access life-changing health care and the cataract surgeries that could save their vision.
That’s why now, more than ever, your Miracle gift of $33 can have a profound impact and change someone’s life by restoring their hope and giving them a brighter life full of possibilities.
“Miracles Day gives people like us the opportunity to change someone’s life, for less than it would cost to go out to a movie or a meal with a friend,” says CBM Australia’s Miracles Day Campaign Manager, Mariska Meldrum.
“For many of us, it’s a small sacrifice, but that one act has a huge impact – giving someone living in poverty in a country like Bangladesh, India, Nepal or the Philippines the surgery they desperately need to restore their sight. And it’s something that will change their life forever.”
Last year, CBM provided eye screening, examination and treatment to 3.3 million people and funded 301,256 eye surgeries worldwide.
Can you help us to change a life forever on Thursday 19 August?
You can give someone a Miracle today at miraclesday.com.au or by calling 131 226.
Feature image: Supplied / Sathi
