Eye donation is one of the most meaningful legacies a person can leave behind, restoring sight to those who would otherwise live in darkness. According to recent reports, more than ten lakh people in India live with corneal blindness, and nearly 20,000 new cases are added each year. With medical advancements there is hope, but it depends on one crucial factor: the availability of donor eyes.
While there has been a steady increase in eye donation, the number of donor corneas retrieved annually falls far short of the nearly 200,000 needed to meet the country’s demand for transplants. The only way to bridge this gap is by creating awareness and dispelling myths. This is exactly what Bilaspur Pride Lions Club, District 3233-C set out to do.
Under the banner of the SheShakti Vision initiative, the club organized a rally on August 25, 2025 to coincide with the 40th National Eye Donation Fortnight. Over 300 participants joined the rally, including medical and nursing students, community members, and Lions. They carried banners and chanted messages urging people to pledge their eyes. Awareness sessions followed, where doctors explained how individuals can pledge their eyes during their lifetime, and how the donation process is carried out after death.
With just ₹10,000, the club reached 2,600 people through leaflets, talks, and face-to-face outreach. A total of 365 residents attended focused sessions, while eight volunteers carried the effort forward with remarkable dedication. The initiative drew the support of the District Government and Lions leaders, adding visibility and credibility.
For the members of Bilaspur Pride Lions Club, the initiative reaffirmed a larger mission: to close the gap between need and availability, and to help ensure that the promise of sight becomes a reality for those still waiting in darkness.