Explanation
Title
To Honor and Recognize Prevent Blindness Ohio on their 50th Anniversary
Body
WHEREAS, more than 1.25 million Ohioans are affected by the threat of vision loss from age-related eye disease; and
WHEREAS, the number of Ohio seniors affected by these diseases is expected to double by 2030 as the Baby Boomer generation ages, largely resulting from the eye diseases of diabetic retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD); and
WHEREAS, nearly 500,000 Ohio children have uncorrected or undetected vision problems that can challenge their ability to learn and succeed at their very best; and
WHEREAS, vision loss and uncorrected vision problems among Ohioans is one of the most common and potentially disabling health conditions affecting learning, mobility, independence, functional ability and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, the annual economic impact of vision-related disabilities in Ohio is estimated to be over $2.7 billion; and
WHEREAS, to ensure access to and availability of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services, it is necessary to promote awareness of the value of vision and its cost to society; and
WHEREAS, Prevent Blindness Ohio (PBO) is celebrating 50 years as Ohio's leading volunteer nonprofit public health organization dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight; and
WHEREAS, PBO was founded in 1957 by U.S. Senator John Bricker and Lions Club Member, Robert Morrison. Other founding groups included Nationwide, the Ohio Department of Health and Delta Gamma Fraternity; and
WHEREAS, PBO provides direct services to more than 800,000 Ohioans annually and educates millions of Ohio consumers about they can do to protect their precious gift of sight; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize Prevent Blindness Ohio on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary and encourage all Ohioans to support Prevent Blindness Ohio's efforts in preventing blindness and preserving sight for all Ohioans.