SAN RAMON, CALIF., December 14, 2020—Despite facing countless obstacles brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, CooperVision employees rallied to raise funds for Optometry Giving Sight’s 2020 World Sight Day Challenge. The company today released details that reflect its teams’ commitment: employees from more than three dozen CooperVision sites spanning six continents participated this year to generate over $110,000 USD in donations. Since 2012, employee-led efforts have contributed more than $1.3 million to Optometry Giving Sight.
This year’s funds represent the equivalent of providing eye exams for more than 22,000 children and adults.
“Good vision is a challenge for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Not having access to comprehensive eye examinations and vision correction can limit people’s education, job prospects, and ability to overcome poverty. Good vision does not guarantee prosperity, but poor vision certainly makes it more difficult,” said Juan Carlos Aragón, OD, President of CooperVision Specialty EyeCare and Chair of the Optometry Giving Sight U.S Board of Directors.
“Every year, no matter the circumstances, CooperVision teams turn out for the World Sight Day Challenge to help Optometry Giving Sight build more sustainable pathways for universal access to eye care. I cannot begin to share how proud I am of my co-workers, as well as everyone across the optometry spectrum who found a way to contribute in 2020.”
Overcoming pandemic-related challenges, CooperVision sites shifted some group activities to virtual settings, including runs, walks and raffles. In other instances, where sites were open and following strict safety protocols, teams hosted more traditional fundraisers such as baked goods sales, celebratory breakfasts and auctions.
In addition to its participation in the World Sight Day Challenge initiative, the company also supports specific Optometry Giving Sight-affiliated programs, including a patient rebate donation program in the United States and its LensFerry® Gives Sight program.
CooperVision and CooperCompanies continuously seek opportunities to foster and expand partnerships that improve vision and eye health throughout the world. This includes support for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, Our Children’s Vision and the International Association of Contact Lens Educators, as well as multiple country-specific philanthropic and educational ventures.
# # #
About CooperVision
CooperVision, a division of CooperCompanies (NYSE:COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of contact lenses. The company produces a full array of daily disposable, two-week and monthly soft contact lenses that feature advanced materials and optics, and premium rigid gas permeable lenses for orthokeratology and scleral designs. CooperVision has a strong heritage of addressing the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism, presbyopia, childhood myopia, and highly irregular corneas; and offers the most complete portfolio of spherical, toric and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com.
About CooperCompanies
CooperCompanies ("Cooper") is a global medical device company publicly traded on the NYSE (NYSE:COO). Cooper operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision brings a refreshing perspective on vision care with a commitment to developing a wide range of high-quality products for contact lens wearers and providing focused practitioner support. CooperSurgical is committed to advancing the health of women, babies and families with its diversified portfolio of products and services focusing on medical devices and fertility & genomics. Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., Cooper has a workforce of more than 12,000 with products sold in over 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com.
Media Contacts
Mike McDougall, APR, Fellow PRSA, McDougall Communications for CooperVision
mike@mcdougallpr.com or 585-434-2150
Heather Kowalczyk, APR, McDougall Communications for CooperVision
heather@mcdougallpr.com or 585-330-4878