Estimated reading time 4 minutes, 43 seconds.
The fifth annual Plane Pull for Sight event in support of Orbis Canada took place June 22, at the FedEx Express Canada apron at Vancouver International Airport, raising more than $20,000 in support of the Orbis Kids Sight program aimed at eliminating childhood blindness throughout the developing world.
Since 2010, residents of British Columbia have contributed close to $100,000. These generous contributions have resulted in sight-restorative surgeries and/or corrective care for over 300 children afflicted with eye disease. All children who benefited from this sponsorship also received thorough follow-up care following surgery.
The Orbis Plane Pull for Sight is a unique fundraising event that showcases teamwork and strength as teams made up of 25 people compete to pull a 60-tonne 757 FedEx cargo plane 12 feet. The event was open for registration to companies, organizations, groups, associations and individual participants age 14 and up. Each team was required to raise a minimum of $1,250 (or $50 per person) to compete in the pull.
In total, 12 teams participated in the event with close to 1,000 people in attendance. Prizes were awarded for the “Fastest Pull”, “Top Individual Fundraiser”, “Top Team Fundraisers”, and “Most Enthusiastic Team”.
Since 2009, the Orbis Plane Pull for Sight campaign has raised more than $400,000 in Canada for Orbis, the sight-saving charity which does invaluable work amongst populations affected by preventable blindness.
Beyond participating in the event and raising money for Orbis, other British Columbians have been directly involved with Orbis in translating the contributions raised into restoring children’s eyesight around the world. This includes Dr. Simon Holland, a clinical professor at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Holland has been directly involved in missions to China, Libya, and Syria.
“In the 30 years that I have been involved with Orbis, the greatest pleasure for me is seeing hope light up on patients’ faces when they first regain eyesight,” said Dr. Simon Holland. “The people of British Columbia can be proud in helping to create hope where no one is needlessly blind, and where quality eye care, treatment, and eye care education can be readily available.”
Orbis’ missions around the world begin and end with the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, a DC-10 aircraft donated to Orbis by FedEx. The plane is equipped with a teaching facility and ophthalmic surgery center. Volunteer pilots from FedEx fly the plane to remote locations across the globe, where medical teams perform surgeries, conduct training sessions, and educate communities about blindness prevention and treatment. Since the Flying Eye Hospital took flight in 1982, more than 6.8 million people worldwide have been treated; 360,000 surgeries have been completed; and 195,000 eye care professionals have been trained aboard the hospital.
FedEx also supports the plane’s maintenance (making it possible for Orbis to operate the current Flying Eye Hospital at nominal expense) and also provides complimentary transportation for critically needed medical supplies headed to Orbis-hospital-based programs around the world.
“It is only natural for FedEx to commit our unparalleled networks, dedicated team members, and vast aviation expertise to assist Orbis in delivering the gift of sight to countless individuals throughout the developing world,” said Lisa Lisson, president of FedEx Express Canada. “I am very proud of all our wonderful FedEx participants and volunteers — from FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight and FedEx Office — who continue to rally behind this cause and make these plane-pull events so successful.”
A FedEx Boeing 757 was the centerpiece of the Plane Pull for Sight in Vancouver as well as in Toronto at a similar event at Pearson International Airport on June 1, 2014.
“To see a child’s face when they first regain eyesight is an extremely heartwarming and gratifying experience. It is through the support of numerous individuals and corporate donors such as those in the Vancouver area that make such life-changing opportunities possible,” said Jenny Hourihan, CEO of Orbis International.
For more information visit www.pullforsight.ca
