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.”

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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 Health Systems and our other healthcare providers in our statewide network, we help people regain their sight and hearing through our Patient Care Program.

OLSHF concluded its Annual “Keep The Promise” campaign. The campaign generated financial support for Patient Services, which have provided vital sight and hearing related surgery and treatment for over 175 Oregonians over the past 12 months.

The Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation’s Board of Trustees allocates funds each year for this program. The Patient Care Committee meets monthly to review applicants referred to the program from across the state. Each case is thoroughly examined and weighed against 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 access this program, applicants must call the Lions in Service line at 971.270.0203 or e-mail their contact information and request to LionsClubsReferrals@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:

  • Be a resident of the State of Oregon for at least 2 years.
  • Be sponsored by his or her local Lions, Lioness, Leo or Lions Auxiliary Club.
  • Be qualified according to the financial guidelines of the Lions Patient Care Program that are set at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
  • Be without other resources to pay for treatment. This includes private insurance coverage as well as insurance available through the Affordable Care Act.

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.