BLINDWALK 2017, Largest Eye Donation campaign in the World to commence on October 12, The World Sight Day

Mumbai, October 6, 2017: Over 100,000 people to walk blindfolded to express solidarity with the visually challenged people across the country through a program called BlindWalk. It will commence in Mumbai at Mumbai University Campus Main Gate in Kalina at 8:00 am on October 12, The World Sight Day. BlindWalk is the brain child of Project Vision, an organisation based in Bangalore who has found a very novel way to celebrate the World Sight Day.

BlindWalks will be held in more than 200 locations across the globe, making it the largest eye donation campaign in the world. Anyone can participate and register for the BlindWalk free of cost on theprojectvision.org which has the information about all the locations and contact persons. However, if you are not able to join for the BlindWalk, you can still be part of the movement by sending an sms to pledge your eyes on World Sight Day. Type your Name and City and sms to 8055880011.

The striking experience of BlindWalk is that the normal blindfolded people are led by visually challenged people. The participants hold on to the blind person in the front after being blindfolded, depending on him/her to walk. This experience is very special and life changing that gives a glimpse into their ‘dark world’.

BlindWalk will be conducted in 200+ locations across India and abroad on October 12th, Thursday this year. Apart from US, China, Srilanka and Nepal, the Walk will be connected across the length and breadth of India, coordinated by Project Vision with a multitude of social, educational, religious, health, corporate and cultural organisations.

The most important objective of the BlindWalk is to motivate people to donate their eyes. The second objective of BlindWalk is to create Vision Ambassadors. Despite interest in donating eyes and having pledges done, most people are not able to take the steps for actual donation, when a death happens in their family due to emotional reasons. And the third objective is to have easy systems for eye collection. The program connects the Eye Banks to the community, making their services and contacts available to everyone.

National Association for the Blind, Eye Bank Association of India, Art of Living, 104 Arokiavani, Rotary and Rotaract, National Service Scheme, Catholic Health Association of India, CBCI - CARD and Madura Microfinance Limited are some of the national agencies that are part of organising the BlindWalk. While The Muthoot Group is the main corporate support, Alcon, Essilor, CBM, and a host of local sponsors are supporting this social cause.