Grateful Columbia Mother Thanks Lions for Vision Screening
“We’re so thankful that the Lions were able to screen our sons,” said Angil Romitti, mother to 2-year-old Roman and 6-month-old Andrew, “We were very pleased with the community service that you provided.” In April 2006, the two young boys received vision screenings through the Foundation’s Amblyopia Prevention program at a Parents as Teachers event in Columbia, Mo.

Angil admitted that she and her husband guessed that their older son, Roman, had a vision abnormality. His parents had both noticed that at times Roman’s eyes seemed misaligned. However, Angil and her husband had assumed that he was too young to visit the eye doctor at only age 2.

When Angil received correspondence from the Foundation that Roman’s screening results indicated he might have a vision condition, she made an appointment with an eye care specialist. An eye doctor confirmed that Roman was farsighted and his vision had been suffering as a result. Today, Roman is in eyeglasses to treat his condition. His parents and doctor are hopeful that his vision will continue to improve and that eventually he will not even need to wear glasses.

Angil’s younger son, Andrew, also showed signs of having a vision condition. Currently, the boys’ eye doctor is monitoring Andrew’s vision and will recommend appropriate corrective care in the future, if needed.

Roman and Andrew are just two of the 14,702 children MLERF screened in 2005-2006 with the help and support of our Lion volunteers. For more information on the Foundation’s Amblyopia Prevention Program please visit our web site, www.mlerf.org/programs-ambly.php.

Volunteer in September to Help Save Sight
Calling all Lions Clubs! The Foundation is still looking for volunteers for its final race of the season, the USAT Halfmax Triathlon Championship on September 16 at Innsbrook Resort (just west of St. Louis). Our Ultramax Events staff is especially looking for volunteers for run course aid stations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This would be a perfect service opportunity for a Lions Club or a group of several Lions. We are also still looking for help at the race finish line from either 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

For more information or to volunteer please visit the Ultramax web site, www.ultramaxtri.com/volunteer.php or contact Shandra Chapman at shandra@ultramaxtri.com. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from Ultramax Event races benefit the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation and its sight-saving programs. Thank you for your help and continued support!

Upcoming Events
September 9
Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation’s Board of Directors Meeting at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will be held in the Foundation’s Library in Columbia, MO. All Lions and non-Lions are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Annie Kuhl 314-428-4373 x107

September 16
USAT Halfmax Triathlon Championship at Innsbrook Resort (west of St. Louis). For more information or to volunteer please sign up online or contact Shandra Chapman.

Looking for more detailed information on our upcoming amblyopia and glaucoma screenings? Visit our screening calendar online.

MLERF Ends Fiscal Year Helping Many
With the support and volunteerism of the Lions Clubs of Missouri, the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation was able to touch the lives of thousands of Missourians and those around the world during its 2005-2006 fiscal year. Listed below are end of year statistics from our vision programs, July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006.

We thank you again for your support! Together, we can work together to serve our communities and help restore and preserve sight to those in need.