Glaucoma Education, Outreach, and Screening Project
Since 1990, Lions has been at the forefront in the fight against glaucoma through the Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP). Allergan is one of the leaders in ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, with a focus on glaucoma, ocular allergy and infections, retinal disease, and dry eyes. Lions and Allergan worked together to expand the LEHP program, including the update of health education materials. Allergan and LCIF have now partnered together to offer funding and technical assistance for glaucoma education, outreach and screening projects. The project will take place in ten locations, and each location is eligible to receive grants between US$5,000 to US$7,500 in project funding.
Glaucoma is the second leading global cause of blindness. Experts estimate that half of the people affected by glaucoma may not know they have it, as there are often no symptoms. Groups that are at higher risk for developing glaucoma include: African Americas, people over 60, family members of those already diagnosed, diabetics, and people who are severly nearsighted. With a rapidly aging world population, there will be more than 2 billion people over the age of 45 by 2020 and many millions more will be at-risk to suffer from blindness due to glaucoma.
For the above reasons, it is now more important than ever to begin outreach efforts to the millions silently suffering from glaucoma. Only through community-based, grassroot efforts will we able to educate those who are at-risk of developing glaucoma about this stealth disease.
Project Goal
Organize glaucoma screening programs and expand outreach and education services to the general public and eye-care professionals concerning the dangers and risks of glaucoma in ten US communities.
The strategy of this project is designed to be flexible enough to use locally defined goals and strategies, but also remain within a common framework. As LCIF has learned from its various grant programs, an approach tailored to local capacities will lend itself to success. LCIF and Allergan are offering technical assistance in project planning and implementation. The overall program will include:
ü Project Partners – Each Lions project should include a local ophthalmologist, Lions- affiliated eye hospital or local hospital/research institute as a partner in the project;
ü Target Audience – Projects should focus on a population that is at high-risk for developing glaucoma, and
ü Project Activities – The following activities are consistent with a comprehensive glaucoma outreach program. Proposals may include the following elements:
o Glaucoma Screenings – Lions will use multiple resources to conduct glaucoma screenings, such as mobile eye units, community events and local partners to target areas of the community with high densities of at-risk and high-risk glaucoma populations.
o Glaucoma Education Activities – Lions will host workshops and seminars in order to educate and pass out informational materials to help inform individuals, including health care professionals, of the risks of glaucoma.
o Purchase and/or Upgrading of Equipment – Lions can purchase new equipment or upgrade existing equipment, which will serve more individuals and increase their capacity to maintain sustainable projects over time.
o Public Relations Activities – Lions will receive complete support from a public relations company to implement publicity to promote the screening events in the months, weeks and days leading up to the events.
Format for Proposals
Proposals should be submitted in a narrative format that addresses all of the following subjects:
· Description of existing (if any) glaucoma outreach programs in community
· Demonstrated need
· Program objectives
· Activities
· Projected outcomes
· Target population, and expected number of people to be served
· Description of partner organization, including roles and responsibilities
· Budget (see page 3 for more details)
· Sustainability plans, including a detailed description for how outreach will continue once Allergan/LCIF funding is exhausted
Review and Selection Process
LCIF will send request for proposals (RFP) to Lions in several communities. Upon receiving proposals, each will be reviewed and assessed based on set criteria, including project merit, feasibility and sustainability.
Budgets should be submitted in a format that outlines project expenses and project income. Grants should be requested for amount between US$5,000 - US$7,500. In-kind and/or local financial contributions are strongly encouraged. Grant funds to pay for staff salaries should be kept to a minimum.
Below is a sample of expenses:
District Approval
District approval in the form of the district governor’s signature and minutes of a district cabinet meeting will be required before any disbursement of funds.
Application and Submission Details
Proposals should not exceed 15 pages (please do not send videos, DVDs, etc.) and need to be received via e-mail, fax or mail by February 15, 2007 to:
Lions Clubs International Foundation
Attn: Gina Zanin, LCIF Sight Programs
300 West 22nd Street
Oak Brook, IL 60523-8842
Tel: 630-571-5466 x664
Fax: 630-571-3095
E-mail: Gina.Zanin@lionsclubs.org
Attached are additional details on the glaucoma screening protocol.