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Cosmetic injector Dr. Steven Jepson MD has been selected to represent the state of Utah in a unique national fundraiser to be held on Friday November 16, 2007. All profits will be dedicated to curing blindness in Africa through the Eyes of Africa Initiative of the One World Sight Project. Dr Jepson was chosen because of his Botox expertise and his desire to donate time to this important cause. Dr Jepson is a Draper resident and a frequent contributor to this paper.
The Eyes of Africa Initiative will take the growing trend of women and men getting treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic in the United States, and turn it into a philanthropic call to action to end blindness in Africa. Cataract is responsible for almost half of the 7 million blind Africans, despite the availability of a simple $25-50 procedure that could permanently restore their sight.
The goal is to expand on the success of the pilot project (in 2005, 49 patients in Southern California were treated in one day, and raised funds that cured 132 people of blindness in Tanzania and Tibet.) This year’s event will span the entire United States, with commitments from physicians in more than 35 states. Allergan (makers of BOTOX® Cosmetic) has donated enough Botox to support the fundraising initiative, and the doctors are entirely donating their time. Over 1000 people around the country will help by having this minor cosmetic procedure. Cataract surgery will be performed in Africa simultaneous with the fundraising on that day.
After being selected to join this effort because of his experience with the use of BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dr Jepson stated, “How could I not help make a permanent improvement in the lives of so many by donating my time and expertise? I’m honored to be a part of this effort. I hope that Utahns will come out in force that day and support this cause. It would be a great opportunity for people who have been thinking about trying Botox, to come try it. And for those who get injections regularly, you can get your Botox and help somebody else at the same time. For each person that receives Botox at our office that day, 3-5 people can have their sight restored in Africa. What a great way to immediately impact a lot of lives!” Tax-deductable donations will also be accepted at his office that day for those wanting to participate in the fund-raiser without receiving injections.
The Eyes of Africa Initiative is also working to raise more than $250,000 in an effort to complete the first comprehensive training center for community ophthalmology in all of Africa, located in Moshi, Tanzania (near Mt. Kilimanjaro).
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More information about The Eyes of Africa Initiative can be found at www.endblindness.org or at Dr. Jepson’s website www.UtahBotoxMD.com. Botox appointments for the November 16th charity event can be made by calling Dr Jepson’s office at (801) 281-0022.
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