Rewarding Helen Keller International’s Vision

Helen Keller once said that, “It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision.” In light of that statement, it is particularly appropriate that the organization named for her has just received an honor called the Champalimaud Vision Award, otherwise known as the "Nobel Prize for Vision."

This year, the Portuguese Champalimaud Foundation has awarded the 1 million Euro (US$1.4 million) award to Helen Keller International (HKI) in recognition of HKI’s work around the world to prevent blindness and improve the health of children and communities, according to a foundation press release. The honor particularly recognizes the organization’s stoic fight against vitamin A deficiency, the most common cause of childhood blindness and a considerable contributor to childhood mortality. Through vitamin A supplementation (VAS) programs for children in 18 countries in Africa and Asia, HKI has helped millions around the world keep their sight — and their lives.

Along with its work on Vitamin A deficiency, HKI is active in 22 countries fighting malnutrition, cataract, trachoma, onchocerciasis and refractive error. HKI’s programs are about more than just health, though; they are also designed, according to the press release, to promote "dignity, and social and economic independence."

The Champalimaud Foundation, for its part, supports cutting-edge biomedical research, aiming "to stimulate novel theoretical and practical methodologies." With a focus on cancer research and neuroscience and a determination to use its resources to benefit future generations, the foundation is establishing an international institute of research and clinical practice to be called the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, scheduled to open next year.

It looks like the foundation embraces a sense of optimism and wonder to match Ms. Keller’s. As she also said, "No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit."

Photo courtesy of fromcolettewithlove, via Flickr