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Support in the hurricane-impacted areas

Photo: Disaster flood damage recovery. Copyright OFDR

The American Optometric Association (AOA) announced yesterday that it has received more than $233,000 in combined individual and industry donations following an appeal made just about 2 weeks ago to help support doctors and students in hurricane-impacted areas. Soon after Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Southeastern U.S., the AOA Foundation issued its emergency appeal to the optical community for donations to its Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief (OFDR), which provides support to optometrists, and optometry students, affected by disaster. The request for relief, made in early October, was soon extended to those impacted by Hurrican Milton last week. Since the inception of the OFDR in 2005, the group noted, it has issued more than $1,000,000 in grants.

The optical industry quickly responded to the call for help, with donations from both individuals and industry leaders. In making the announcement yesterday, the AOA called out with gratitude donations in the amount of $50,000 each from the Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety and AOAExcel, $100,000 from AOA Visionary Supporter EssilorLuxottica, and $33,000 in other donations. The organization noted that OFDR is continuing to take applications from doctors and students impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

“Optometry is, at its heart, a family, and AOAExcel did not hesitate to step up for our family with this important donation to OFDR,” said Sam Pierce, OD, AOAExcel chair. “We stand by all doctors of optometry and students impacted by these devastating disasters.”

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