By Parker McKenzie
A 12-year-old from Belgrave is raising money for sight-saving cataract surgeries in countries like Indonesia, the Philippines and Nepal by wearing an eyepatch for a week.
Catie McGarraghy will wear the eye patch from Friday 12 to Thursday 18 August as she aims to raise $330 dollars for CBM’s Miracles Day, enough to fund cataract surgery for 10 people and restore their sight. The surgery also includes the pre-screening, travel and post-surgical costs.
Catie said she was inspired by a boy named Curtis who was cleaning rubbish bins to raise money for a previous Miracles Day fundraiser, which is held annually on 18 August.
“This year I wanted to be involved, so I decided to join in and start with two months of my pocket money, which is two miracles,” she said.
“People who have cataracts can’t see and it would be amazing to be able to change their life forever.”
Each surgery costs $33 and takes 12 minutes. Since CBM launched Miracles Day in 2012, over 300,000 surgeries have been performed.
Catie said she thinks people at her school will be shocked when they first see her with the eyepatch, but once she explains the cause they will be supportive.
“Some of the challenges will probably be doing sports with my friends, reading and looking at the whiteboard at school,” Catie said.
“Anybody can get involved.”
Her mother Kiera McCarthy said she is proud of Catie for trying to look after those who are less fortunate.
“It was really lovely to see her take the initiative and come up with the idea of the eyepatch,” she said.
“CBM Australia has been amazing in encouraging her and giving us information on how she can fundraise, and we are trying to get some family and friends involved to donate some miracles.”
According to CBM, 94 million people worldwide need cataract surgery to restore or protect their sight.
CBM CEO Jane Edge said cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness in the world’s poorest countries, where surgery is often out of reach.
“The pandemic has really exacerbated the need, with a backlog of people needing surgery now,” Ms Edge said.
To donate, call 131 226 or visit miraclesday.com.au
