The Gift of (Preserving) Sight

US nonprofit eye health and safety organization Prevent Blindness has received a $9.7 million donation from the Estate of Pamela Behrens, a long-time Florida resident. The gift is the largest in the organization's 117-year history, and will support its mission “to prevent blindness and preserve sight for all US residents [and] be an active partner with similar organizations addressing eye health across the globe.”

Prevent Blindness reports that the Behrens gift will strengthen its capacity to implement its strategic initiatives, including:

• Expanding technical assistance efforts in children’s vision
• Promoting eye health awareness and access to care
• Advancing public policy efforts
• Providing support for individuals impacted by vision issues
• Contributing to global eye health

In addition, the organization says it will launch a comprehensive awareness campaign to better inform the public about available Prevent Blindness resources.

Pamela Behrens named the organization as a beneficiary in her will in honor of her late husband, Richard Behrens, who served on both the Prevent Blindness national and Prevent Blindness Texas boards of directors in the 1980s, eventually holding the position of national treasurer.

“For more than a century, Prevent Blindness has been advancing its sight-saving mission, evolving as the times dictate,” said Jim McGrann, chair of the Prevent Blindness Board of Directors and CEO of Advancing Eyecare. “This has only been made possible through the generosity of our donors – whether it’s a gift of $5, $500, $1 million, or more, all donations are valued and support the millions of people across the country impacted by eye health.”