Dear
Lion,
We
did it!
It
is my great pleasure and privilege to report to you that Lions have
successfully met the Gates Challenge!
In the past year, all
across the globe, Lions came together in support of One Shot, One Life:
The Lions Measles Initiative by contributing an astounding US$10 million to help
end the death and disease caused by measles. What a spectacular achievement!
As you know, the Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation promised to match every US$2 raised by Lions with
US$1, if we reached our US$10 million goal. So, meeting the Gates Challenge
means that Lions will be able to contribute a total of US$15 million this year
to help protect the world's children from the brain damage, hearing loss,
blindness and death caused by measles. Lions' dedication to combating this
deadly disease is a clear demonstration of our deep commitment to protecting the
health and well-being of our most vulnerable children. We have shown the world
that we are not only Knights of the Blind but protectors of children, as
well.
Although meeting the
Gates Challenge was made possible through the efforts of all Lions, members in
three countries contributed nearly US$6 million of the US$10 million raised and
deserve our special thanks. The Lions of Multiple District 300 - Taiwan
contributed US$2.9 million, the Lions of Japan mobilized US$2 million, and the
Lions of Korea provided nearly US$1 million! I am truly grateful to our fellow
Lions in OSEAL for their extraordinary generosity.
Many of you have
recently asked me whether or not Lions Clubs International Foundation would
continue its efforts to combat measles once our US$10 million goal had been met.
LCIF is currently working with the Gates Foundation to chart our future course
and it is my sincere hope that Lions all over the world will continue to build
upon this extraordinary achievement.
As Chairperson of
our Foundation, and the father of three healthy children, I thank you, from the
bottom of my heart, for rolling up your sleeves and getting to work on combating
measles. Lions are giving the world's children a very precious gift: the chance
to live a healthy life. It is my great hope that the day will soon come when no
child's life is cut short by measles. I am so proud to be able to say that when
that beautiful day does come, it will have been made possible, in part, through
the efforts of Lions.
Sincerely,
Wing-Kun
Tam
Chairperson, Lions
Clubs International Foundation
International Leo Day, celebrated annually on December 5,
is the perfect time to call attention to those we hope will one day lead the
association. 
