FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

For more information:
Prevent Blindness America
Sarah Hecker
312-363-6035

PREVENT BLINdNESS AMERICA Celebrates 100th years of saving sight with centennial gala in New York City

Non-profit Group Names Actress Jane Seymour and Baseball Star Derrek Lee
as Visionary Award Honorees

NEW YORK (January 11, 2008) – Prevent Blindness America, the nation's oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, held its Centennial Gala last night at the historic Waldorf Astoria in New York City.  The event celebrated the 100th anniversary of the group.  Actress Jane Seymour and Chicago Cubs’ first baseman Derrek Lee were presented with the 2008 Visionary Awards.  Corporate partners Alcon, Allergan, Novartis, Pfizer and VSP were presented with the Centennial Circle Awards for their continued support of Prevent Blindness America and its mission.

Seymour and Lee were chosen for their outstanding dedication and commitment to preventing vision loss.  Seymour's “Don’t Lose Sight” campaign raised much needed awareness of the steps adults can take to minimize the effects of macular degeneration.  Once Lee’s daughter was diagnosed with Leber's congenital amaurosis, he sprang into action and through Project 3000, a organization he co-founded, has already raised more than $1 million in much needed research funds.

The Centennial Circle Award winners were recognized for their generous support of Prevent Blindness America through the years.  Alcon, Allergan, Novartis, Pfizer and VSP have donated to funds that have supported Prevent Blindness America’s vision screening and public health programs, advocacy work and research initiatives.

Back in 1908, Prevent Blindness America began as an organization to prevent infants from suffering from unnecessary blindness,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America.  “And now, 100 years later, we have expanded that mission to include all ages.  We thank all of those who have worked with us over the years to help us reach this amazing milestone of a century of saving sight.”

Exciting highlights of the event:

• The event raised more than $600,000 to support Prevent Blindness America’s ongoing programs.

• Willard Scott, “TODAY Show” regular and broadcast legend, was the emcee for the evening.

• Fellow actor Tom Sullivan presented the 2008 Visionary Award to Jane Seymour and Willard Scott presented the award to Major League Baseball star, Derrek Lee.

• Nearly 400 people enjoyed the cocktail reception, auction, dinner and awards presentations.

• Major sponsors of the event were Allergan, Alcon, Pfizer, VSP, Novartis, Essilor, Access Communications and Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal.

About Prevent Blindness America
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, divisions and chapters, it's committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020 or visit us on the Web at www.preventblindness.org.