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Youth Action: 13-Year Old's Bar Mitzvah Project Raises $5,000 For Eye Care in Tamale, Ghana

In honor of his Bar Mitzvah, 13-year old Gabe Rosen became fully devoted to fundraising for Unite For Sight. This middle school student is the epitome of youth action, and his dedication to service has been highly praised by Unite For Sight and the Eye Clinic of Tamale Teaching Hospital. Dr. Seth Wanye, ophthalmologist in Tamale, wrote in an email to Gabe: "I am grateful to you for your interest in the work that we are doing in Tamale, Ghana and to learn that you are even going to raise money for the work that we do. The ophthalmic team in Tamale is trying to reach out to as many as possible with eye care services in a region of over 2 million mainly peasant farmers and poor people."

When Gabe was 10 years old, he suffered a detached retina from a soccer accident. The incident had a huge impact on his life, and he chose to fundraise for Unite For Sight because he understands the importance of preventative eye care. During his Bar Mitzvah on September 9, 2006, Gabe spoke about Unite For Sight and encouraged everyone in attendance to donate. Gabe's heartfelt message to his family and friends resulted in donations from more than 100 people. Additionally, Gabe sold rubber bracelets that say "RIGHT 2 SIGHT" through local optometrists. Nearly two months after his Bar Mitzvah, Gabe continues to fundraise, as he nears $ 5,000 in donations for Unite For Sight.

With Gabe's generous donation to support Dr. Wanye's work in Tamale, Unite For Sight will purchase a visual field machine for Eye Clinic of Tamale Teaching Hospital. Dr. Wanye said that he desperately needs the machine, which costs $ 5,000, to provide glaucoma care for the community. "We need the visual machine seriously to be able to diagnose and manage glaucoma effectively," said Dr. Wanye.

Glaucoma is a gradual eye disease that is considered a silent thief of sight. With the visual field machine, Dr. Wanye will be able to prevent blindness among thousands in the future. All of the patients will be indebted to Gabe Rosen, a 13-year old boy who lives a world away, but who understands first hand the importance of eye care.

Gabe Rosen will be honored as one of Unite For Sight's Volunteers of the Year at Unite For Sight's Fourth Annual International Health Conference at Stanford University on April 14-15, 2007. Gabe is the organization's youngest volunteer who has made such a meaningful, significant impact. At Unite For Sight's Conference, Gabe will also have an opportunity to meet Dr. Wanye, see photographs, listen to presentations, and learn first-hand how important his work is to the people of Tamale, Ghana.

About Unite For Sight

Unite For Sight® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that empowers communities worldwide to improve eye health and eliminate preventable blindness.

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