Optometry community rallies to raise more than $233,000 for hurricane relief
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Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief has raised more than $233,000 in donations to help recovery efforts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, according to a press release from the American Optometric Association.
In the aftermath of the storms, the AOA Foundation made an emergency appeal for donations to Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief (OFDR), one of its key programs, which has now collected more than $233,000 from individuals, in addition to $50,000 each from AOAExcel and the Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety and $100,000 from AOA Visionary Supporter EssilorLuxottica.
“EssilorLuxottica is committed to the profession in good times and difficult times,” Fabrizio Uguzzoni, the company’s president of professional solutions for Americas, said in a statement provided to Healio. “Delivering essential care to their communities is a calling, but in times of crisis, doctors need a lifeline of support to enable them to do what they do best. We are incredibly proud to support the AOA’s disaster relief fund over the years and especially today, with two natural disasters hitting the region hard back to back.”
According to the release, there are more than 7,700 licensed practicing doctors of optometry in the six states most affected by the hurricanes, in addition to staff and students. Thus far, OFDR has awarded 14 grants to those in need.
“We are proud to provide critical resources to help ensure that optometrists can continue to serve their communities during these challenging times,” Belinda R. Starkey, OD, AOA Foundation president, said in the release. “We appreciate the gifts that have been donated, including those from members and our corporate supporters. Given the forecasts, the need will be great.”
Applications from doctors and students affected by the hurricanes are still being accepted, the release stated, and grants up to $4,000 will be awarded to cover expenses and expedite doctors’ ability to reopen their practices.
Editor’s note: This story was updated Oct. 17, 2024, to clarify the total number of funds raised. Healio regrets the error.
Reference:
- Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief. https://aoafoundation.aoa.org/our-programs/optometrys-fund-for-disaster-relief-(ofdr)?sso=y. Accessed Oct. 16, 2024.
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