Thanks to our riders, donors, volunteers and sponsors, Seva's first ever Bike for Sight event on Saturday September 17th in Duncan BC raised $14,098. This money will fully fund sight-restoring cataract surgeries for 47 children in eastern Africa and will prevent 2,350 years spent in blindness (based on an average of 50 years of blindness per child). Twenty-three cyclists were undaunted by the grey start to the morning and assembled at Thrifty Foods on Beverly Street in Duncan. Tom Voss, Seva board member and event organizer, was there to greet riders in his fuzzy hair hat and brief everyone about the 60 km ride around Lake Cowichan. Star of the day was Dr. Marty Spencer, who had returned the night before from a 2-week, self-funded volunteer trip to Tibet to teach cataract surgery in the earthquake-ravaged area of Yushu. Marty ignored his jet lag and hit the muddy trail with his little skinny tires. Everyone had a great time and loved the route. Huge thanks to everyone who made it possible including: - Al Watson, Manager, and the staff of Thrifty Foods in Duncan, for your sponsorship, kindness and the hot dog stand - All our riders - Our two wonderful volunteers at the hotdog stand, Patsy Irving and Janice Gallaugher - Our youngest volunteer, Simon Pike Minkow, age 7, who diligently ensured that all our riders were equipped with reflective vests for the short return stretch on the highway - Sandra Beggs, owner/manager of Cycle Therapy in Duncan who donated prizes - Paperblanks who donated journals to all the riders - Volunteers Kathryn Maurer and Jane Harris for all their help and their great photos - Long-time Seva supporter, Gary Greenstein, who helped with the set-up - All those who supported the riders through donations to their giving pages Our fuzzy hats off to Tom Voss for his months of work preparing for the event and making it a great success. The 47 eye surgeries include all pre- and post-operative care and follow-up as follows: Read the full description of Seva's project to fight childhood blindness in eastern Africa. It's not too late to fund this campaign -- there are still hundreds of children in Malawi, Tanzania, Madagascar and Burundi who urgently need eye care. You can still contribute to the Bike for Sight giving pages or make a donation. Learn how you can create a personal giving page for any occasion such as birthdays, in memoriam gifts and weddings.