EZ Press Release  -- May 12, 2010 The Champalimaud Foundation, one of the largest global science foundations, announced today that Helen Keller International (HKI) is the recipient of its 2009 Vision Award. The €1 million (US$1.4 million) António Champalimaud Vision Award is the largest monetary prize in the field of vision and among the largest scientific and humanitarian prizes in the world. The 2009 António Champalimaud Vision Award has been awarded to Helen Keller International for its outstanding achievements in preventing blindness in the developing world.

Helen Keller International works in 22 countries to reduce malnutrition and prevent blindness. The award recognizes HKI for its decades-long leadership in the global control of vitamin A deficiency which is the leading cause of childhood blindness and a significant contributor to childhood mortality.  Working in 13 African and 5 Asian countries, HKI’s current programs strengthens country-driven efforts to deliver vitamin A capsules to at least 80% of at-risk children in each country. At a cost of just $1.00 per child per year, vitamin A supplementation saves the sight and lives of approximately 80 million children each year.

In addition to its efforts to control vitamin A deficiency, HKI’s other blindness prevention programs include cataract treatment, control of trachoma and onchocerciasis (also known as river blindness), and the correction and treatment of refractive error.

 HKI is also committed to reducing malnutrition worldwide, and its programs are positioned to respond to the global food crisis.  HKI’s multi-faceted approach seeks to ensure long-term sustainability of nutritious food supplies at the local level. In Mozambique, for example, HKI promotes the production and consumption of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, which are rich in vitamin A. HKI provides training and supervision to agricultural extension workers, community groups and farmers; collaborates with growers, women’s groups and schools to distribute the plants; and develops communication strategies to encourage acceptance and consumption of these potatoes by growers and consumers.

About the António Champalimaud Vision Award
The António Champalimaud Vision Award was initiated by the Champalimaud Foundation in 2006 and referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Vision” by the former President of India, A.P.J. Kalam. The Award has the support of the World Health Organization’s VISION 2020 − The Right To Sight initiative.

About the Champalimaud Foundation
Based in Lisbon Portugal, the Champalimaud Foundation is a private organization dedicated to making advances in biomedical science. With an endowment of 500,000,000 Euros, the Foundation’s work is focused on three core areas – neuroscience research, cancer research, and an outreach program to support the fight against blindness.

Founded in 1915, Helen Keller International's (HKI) mission is to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. HKI combats the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition by establishing programs based on evidence and research in vision, health and nutrition. The organization is known for sustainability, reliability, efficiency, and the highest level of technical expertise in preventing blindness and reducing malnutrition. HKI is headquartered in New York City, and has programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia as well as in the United States, addressing malnutrition (including vitamin A deficiency), cataract, trachoma, onchocerciasis (river blindness) and refractive error. HKI receives support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and other national and local governments as well as from private and corporate foundations and individuals.

For more information, visit www.hki.org or email us at info@hki.org.