Sam Maddula, Pharm.D., a visionary leader, shared his inspiring story of overcoming adversity at a fundraising event on January 31, 2025. Born in a poor rural Indian village and legally blind, Sam’s life took a transformative turn when his parents discovered an Eye Camp organized by the Eye Foundation of America in 1987. The camp led to life-saving corneal transplant surgery performed by Dr. VK Raju, which allowed Sam to transition from blindness to a life filled with light.
The event, held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, was part of a nationwide initiative to combat childhood blindness, especially Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). Dr. Vadrevu K. Raju, a renowned ophthalmologist and philanthropist, founded the Eye Foundation of America (EFA) to help children born with vision impairment. His organization has helped transform millions of lives by performing vital eye surgeries and providing crucial treatments.
The fundraiser raised over $500,000, which was generously matched by the Eye Foundation, bringing the total to $1 million. Sam Maddula further pledged to match the raised funds, amplifying the event’s impact. These funds will go towards establishing 100 ROP screening centers and training 500 healthcare professionals across India to provide essential care for premature infants at risk of blindness. The initiative will also treat 10,000 ROP-affected babies each year.
Dr. Raju emphasized the profound effects of childhood blindness, pointing out that most children with visual impairment do not attend school, and their future employability is greatly reduced. He stressed the importance of eradicating preventable blindness, calling it “God’s work” and urging collective action. He also cited alarming statistics, noting that nearly 600,000 premature babies in India are at risk of developing ROP, and many of them go untreated.
The event, attended by philanthropists and medical experts, included speeches from Dr. Leela Raju and Dr. Radhika Tandon, who highlighted the critical need for collaboration in preventing childhood blindness. Additionally, a mobile eye screening bus was launched to provide rural areas with much-needed access to eye care services.
Dr. Raju expressed, “Let’s join hands to brighten young lives and build a world free from childhood blindness. Your support has the power to transform lives, restore sight, and shape brighter futures.” This fundraiser marks the beginning of a mission to end childhood blindness, one child at a time.
