Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation
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.”
Patient Care Program
About The Program
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.
Services include medical eye exams, treatment and testing for glaucoma, macular degeneration, and new advanced treatments like corneal cross-linking.
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.
How to Access This Program
To apply for this program, please click on this link and fill out the Request Form.
Starting August 16, 2021, this form will be the only method to request assistance. Until then, you may also contact the Lions in Service line at (971) 270-0203 or e-mail the applicant’s contact information and request to lionsclubsreferrals@olshf.org. Please include your first and last name, mailing address including zip code, a phone number where you can be reached, and the type of assistance you are requesting.
Submissions are reviewed several times per week by volunteers and are forwarded to a local Lions Club based on the applicant’s zip code.
To qualify, a client must:
- Be a resident of the State of Oregon for the last 2 consecutive years.
- Have a household income that is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- Be without other resources to pay for treatment; this includes private insurance coverage.
It should be noted that the Patient Care Assistance Program can only be accessed after all other possible resources have been exhausted.
