Dear friends, friends and colleagues,

This year on Sunday 13th October I'm running my 5th Melbourne Marathon (42.2km) and hoping to support a cause that I'm passionate about as an eye surgeon.

The Australian College of Optometry (ACO) is a non-profit organization that provides quality, affordable eye care to disadvantaged communities in Australia, including refugees and asylum seekers. These communities face significant barriers in accessing eye health services due to cost, Medicare ineligibility, language barriers, and lack of knowledge about the Australian healthcare system.

ACO's public health eye clinics and outreach programs provide essential services such as comprehensive eye exams, subsidised glasses, and interpreter services. They also offer eye health education to empower patients to understand and protect their vision.

Good vision is crucial for participation in education, employment, and social activities. ACO's services enable refugees and asylum seekers to improve their vision, leading to better learning opportunities for children and improved employment and life outcomes for adults. For some, ACO's intervention may even prevent sight loss.

Your donation to ACO can make a real difference in the lives of refugees and asylum seekers, helping them to see better and live better.

With only 3 days to go - please donate now! Any contribution will be appreciated!

Many thanks in advance,

Rahul.