From bike riding to bingo, Lions Clubs and Foundations of Nebraska and Iowa joined forces for the first time ever to support a cause significant to the organization worldwide – the prevention of blindness.
The result – a $328,000 combined gift by the Lions Clubs and Foundations of Nebraska and Iowa, the Lions Clubs International Foundation and the Iowa West Foundation to the University of Nebraska Foundation – will help enhance services provided for persons with low vision at the Weigel Williamson Center for Visual Rehabilitation on the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus.
UNMC will honor the Lions Clubs and Foundations at 1 p.m.., Saturday, March 21, with a special presentation at the Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education, 42nd and Emile streets. Following a brief program featuring comments from UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., and several others, tours of the Weigel Williamson Center, 704 S. 38th Ave., will be given.
This gift will allow the center to purchase the Dynavision 2000, a device used to evaluate and treat visual field loss in stroke patients, as well as outfit an additional exam room, provide support for medical services and fund awareness projects to better educate the public about the services available at the center for those with low vision.
“If it weren’t for groups like the Lions Clubs and Lions Clubs International, we would not be able to provide the services we do,” said John Shepherd, M.D., medical director of the center. “The potential for what we can do with this center is huge. We’re looking forward to being able to take on an additional patient load and gifts like this one will allow us to do that.”
The Weigel Williamson Center for Visual Rehabilitation opened on UNMC’s campus in April 2008. The goal of the center is to help those with low vision, which is often caused by macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma, adapt to their environments and maintain their independence. The center is the first free-standing low vision home to be built on a university campus.
The center provides patients with a unique home-like setting where they can learn the latest low vision adaptations. Patients also can test products that aid people with low vision, such as high-contrast and large-number remote controls, telephones and talking clocks, timers and medical equipment. The center not only instructs patients on how to use these devices but also allows them in-home trials before purchasing the items.
In the center’s first 10 months of operation, it has provided services to nearly 350 patients, including more than 30 patients from Iowa, Dr. Shepherd said.
The Lions Clubs have a long history of service to those with vision loss. In 1925, they were challenged by Helen Keller to become “the knights of the blind.” Since that point, members have worked to help those with decreased vision through a variety of efforts, including eyeglass recycling, sight partnerships and sight services.
While the individual Lions Clubs throughout Nebraska and Iowa focused on supporting the Weigel Williamson Center, each found unique ways to raise funds.
For example, Steve Bennett of Avoca, Neb., rode his bike across the state last year, generating more than $7,000 in support. In Iowa, the Lions Club in Shenandoah raised funds through a bingo booth at a 4th of July event. The lead gift to kickoff fund raising was made by the Omaha Westside Lions Club, which provided $5,000.
“Many of the sight services in western Iowa are provided by UNMC,” said Dale Shenefelt, past district governor, Lions Clubs of Iowa. “We decided that this was the place to get involved and put our money.”
Allen Darell of the Lions Clubs of Nebraska agreed.
“It is so amazing that the Weigel and Williamson families came together to build this great center,” said Darell, council chair, multiple district 38, Lions Clubs of Nebraska. “The Lions being able to equip it is just outstanding. We really needed something like this in Nebraska.”
Following are participating Lions Clubs in Nebraska and Iowa.
Iowa
Council Bluffs
Guthrie Center
Shenandoah
Nebraska
Auburn
Aurora
Avoca
Bellevue
Bennington
Crete
Edgar
Elmwood
Gothenburg
Hastings
Humboldt
Kearney
Lexington
Lincoln Bethany
Lincoln Star City
Omaha Millard
Omaha Sunrise
Omaha Westside
Papillion
Plattsmouth
Ralston
Raymond
Weeping Water
Wilber
The University of Nebraska Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that has been raising private gifts to support the University of Nebraska for more than 70 years. Last year $130.1 million was provided for students, faculty, academic programs, research and campus capital improvements. More information is available at www.nufoundation.org.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through their commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources now exceeds $82 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,400 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 513 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.