Believe in Our Foundation

Dear Lion,

I am so excited to now address you as the Chairperson of our Foundation. I know what great things this Foundation has done in the past and what it can do in the future through the support of Lions. And, because of this, I believe in our Foundation.

This year, I am looking forward to all the important projects we will complete and all the people we will help through our Foundation. After all, we have already saved the sight of 30 million people through SightFirst, positively impacted 12 million young people through Lions Quest, given over US$88 million for disaster relief since the Foundation began and met countless humanitarian needs through partnerships and projects.

Lions are leaders in service. Let this new Lions year be an opportunity to set new goals for your club and for your district. One program that I encourage you to support is the One Shot, One Life: Lions Measles Initiative. Together, we can make the lives of millions of children worldwide better through needed measles vaccinations. I believe in the power of Lions and our Foundation to help eliminate measles.

I am not the only one who believes this. Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, spoke at our International Convention in Busan, Korea. She spoke of how measles is a leading cause of childhood blindness in the developing world and can be prevented through an inexpensive vaccine. She also spoke of the respect Lions have earned through service, and our power to make a difference by supporting measles vaccinations.

We are halfway to our goal of raising US$10 million dollars, but still must meet the challenge grant from the Gates Foundation. Thank you to those who have donated. Now, I encourage all Lions to help reach that goal and immunize 157 million children this year alongside our partners. You can make a donation online. Just US$1 can make a difference in the life of a child.

Wing-Kun Tam

Chairperson, Lions Clubs International Foundation