Eyeworld

UPDATE cataract blindness in Nepal, Ethi- opia, and Ghana. The five finalists will be announced in September and will make a concluding presentation during a live event on December 11, 2017. Shortly after, the MacArthur Board will name the single recipient of the $100 million grant. Each semi-finalist organization spent 1 day in March meeting and interviewing with the MacArthur Foundation at its Chicago office. David Chang, MD, chair of inter- national initiatives for the ASCRS Foundation, joined Geoff Tabin, MD, and Guy Kezirian, MD, as physician representatives of HCP. "The goal of the competition and the grant is to solve or meaningfully impact a key global problem," Dr. by Natalie Zundel ASCRS Foundation Development Director The honor brings much needed attention to the issue of preventable blindness worldwide E ighty percent of the world's global blindness is preventable. Worldwide, millions of people suffer from cataract blindness because they don't have access to sight-restoring surgery. That's why Foundation partner selected as semi-finalist for MacArthur grant Insightful news from the ASCRS Foundation HCP representatives at the March presentation to the MacArthur Foundation in Chicago; from left: David F. Chang, MD, Job Heintz, CEO of HCP, Geoff Tabin, MD, Guy Kezirian, MD, and Eric Hansen, MD Source: David F. Chang, MD The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation's mis- sion is to support creative people, effective institutions, and influen- tial networks to build a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. The 100&Change grant initiative is an effort to address a critical problem that can't be solved by grants of typical size. The competitive process was open to all entities—not just nonprofits—and allowed solutions that address any critical social issue. This wide net and outsized grant award predictably brought in thou- sands of applications. Therefore, it is even more noteworthy that HCP's was among the top eight proposals out of 1,904 total applications. Their proposal focuses on eliminating ASCRS members, the ASCRS Foun- dation, and its partners work around the globe to advance cataract treat- ment strategies. Unfortunately, cataract blind- ness hasn't garnered the same level of public attention as other pre- ventable health issues like malaria and HIV/AIDS. But that's about to change thanks to the ASCRS Foundation's long-time partner Himalayan Cataract Project (HCP). HCP has been selected as one of eight semi-finalists in the MacArthur Foundation's 100&Change competi- tion. The winner of this highly com- petitive grant process will receive a $100 million grant to help solve a critical social problem.

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