When Elvin applied for the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation’s Patient Care Program, he was going blind. He faced the prospect of losing his job, and already missed seeing his girls grow up. After waking from his second cataract surgery, Elvin broke into tears and hugged his wife. “The Lions were there for me. They are beautiful people and I am so appreciative of their help.”
The Patient Care Program was created to help Oregonians receive the sight and hearing surgery or treatments they need but cannot afford. With generous partners such as Ashland’s Retina & Vitreous Center, Legacy Devers Eye Institute and our other healthcare providers in our statewide network, we help people regain their sight and hearing through our Patient Care Program.
The Patient Care Committee meets monthly to review applicants referred to the program from across the state. Each case is reviewed for a fit with established qualifications and guidelines. Our Committee works hard to make the best use of its funds. Thanks to the generosity of doctors and hospitals across the state, OLSHF pays for services at significantly reduced rates for each procedure we sponsor. This allows us to help more people each year.
To access this program, applicants must call the Lions in Service line at 971.270.0203 or e-mail their contact information and request to info@OLSHF.org.
Individuals calling the OLSHF Office for surgical assistance will be mailed an application and will be referred to their local Lions Club Sight and Hearing Chair to begin the application process The applicant must qualify for assistance under the OLSHF Patient Care Guidelines.
To qualify, a client must:
It should be noted that the Lions Foundation is considered a “court of last resort.” All other possible resources should be exhausted before the Patient Care Program is accessed.