National non-profit group, Prevent Blindness, names VSP Global and its President and CEO Michael Guyette, as the 2020 Persons of Vision Award recipients.

As we enter the year 2020, it seems only fitting that we honor the work of all the employees at VSP Global, including Michael Guyette, for their work which has had such a tremendous, positive impact on improving vision and keeping eyes healthy every day- J. Todd, Pres. & CEO, Prevent Blindness.

CHICAGO (PRWEB)
September 19, 2019

Prevent Blindness, the nation’s oldest eye health and safety non-profit organization, announced today that the 2020 Persons of Vision Award will go to VSP Global and its President and CEO Michael Guyette. The event will take place on March 26, 2020, at 583 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., in conjunction with Vision Expo East. All proceeds from the event will go to support the sight-saving programs of Prevent Blindness.

The Prevent Blindness Persons of Vision Award recognizes an individual, corporation and/or organization whose inspired outlook champions healthy vision and its importance for a healthy life. VSP Global was selected as the recipient of the Persons of Vision Award for their 65-year commitment to a mission of helping people see, as well as its long-term support and partnership with Prevent Blindness.

VSP Global began its partnership with Prevent Blindness in 1999, following the inception of the first VSP Eyes of Hope initiative, Sight for Students, two years prior. Since then, nearly 123,000 students in need have received no-cost eye care and eyewear valued at more than $22 million through the Sight for Students program alone. In total, VSP Global and Prevent Blindness have expanded access to vision care for more than a quarter of a million adults and children in need. In addition, VSP Global staff has volunteered in various capacities including committee work and services to the Prevent Blindness Board of Directors.

Guyette has long been an advocate for making health insurance better aligned with the needs of consumers. He leads VSP Global’s vision to provide access to affordable, high quality eye care and eyewear to its nearly 90 million members. Before joining VSP Global in 2018, Guyette served as President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Prior to that, he held senior leadership positions at Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and Independence Blue Cross. A native of Rhode Island, Guyette holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of North Texas, and an MBA from Villanova University.

“As we enter the year 2020, it seems only fitting that we honor the work of all the employees at VSP Global, including Michael Guyette, for their work which has had such a tremendous, positive impact on improving vision and keeping eyes healthy every day,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Prevent Blindness and our affiliates have been fortunate to be long-time partners in their generous works. We invite everyone to help us celebrate this milestone year and the great efforts of Mr. Guyette and all of those at VSP Global who help promote and protect healthy vision.”

“This recognition is a testament to the incredible impact our organization has made since it was founded in 1955,” said Guyette. “I’m honored to share it alongside VSP network doctors and our employees who have contributed so much to change the lives of so many by expanding access to eye care for as many people as possible.”

The chairpersons of the 2020 Prevent Blindness Persons of Vision Committee are long-time Prevent Blindness volunteer and past Persons of Vision Award Honoree, Marge Axelrad, senior vice president, editorial director at Vision Monday/Jobson Optical Group, and past Prevent Blindness Board Member and Marketing and Development Committee member; and Mark Ginsburg, Chief Giving Officer, VSP Global, Prevent Blindness Board of Directors member and Chair of the Marketing and Development Committee.

For more information including sponsorship opportunities, Persons of Vision Award committee membership, and reservations, please contact Sue Corbett at (312) 363-6014 or scorbett@preventblindness.org or visit http://www.preventblindness.org/personofvision.

About Prevent Blindness

Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020. Or, visit us on the Web at preventblindness.org or facebook.com/preventblindness.

About VSP Global

VSP Global is a doctor-governed company that exists to create value for members and opportunities for VSP network doctors. Their industry-leading businesses include VSP® Vision Care, the only national not-for-profit vision benefits company, which provides access to eye care for nearly 90 million members through a network of over 40,000 doctors worldwide; Marchon® Eyewear Inc., one of the world’s largest designers, manufacturers and distributors of high-quality eyewear and sunwear; VSP Optics, industry leaders in ophthalmic technology and lab services, providing custom lens solutions for the vision and lifestyle needs of patients; Eyefinity®, the industry leader in practice management and electronic health record software; VSP Retail, which focuses on increasing access to eye care and eyewear through multiple channels; and VSP® Ventures, which offers care-focused, customized choices for doctors looking to transition their practice.

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As a longtime advocate and someone with such a personal connection to the cancer community, Katie’s compassion and tireless support has touched countless lives and brought much needed awareness while giving families across the world a new reason for hope.

NEW YORK (PRWEB)
September 19, 2019

The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) will host the 18th Annual NYC Gala on Thursday, October 17 at Cipriani Broadway. The gala will welcome award-winning journalist, producer, New York Times best-selling author, podcast host, documentary filmmaker, co-founder of Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) and longtime cancer prevention advocate, Katie Couric. As part of an unforgettable evening to celebrate and support patients, survivors and caregivers in the melanoma community, Katie will share her personal experiences with cancer and will discuss her latest collaboration with Merck’s “With Love, Me” campaign.

In partnership with more than a dozen patient advocacy groups, “With Love, Me” showcases a series of heartfelt letters written by caregivers and cancer survivors to their former selves reflecting upon what they wish they had known – or needed to hear – when they were first coping with a cancer diagnosis. Katie will also be joined by one of the campaign’s patient advocates and an active member of the MRF community, melanoma survivor Patrick Guddal.

“We are honored to welcome Katie Couric for this incredible event,” said Kyleigh LiPira, MRF CEO. “As a longtime advocate and someone with such a personal connection to the cancer community, Katie’s compassion and tireless support has touched countless lives and brought much needed awareness while giving families across the world a new reason for hope.”

At the 2019 NYC Gala, the MRF will present a Humanitarian Award to Jeffrey Weber, MD, PhD in recognition of the dedication he has shown in his work to advance the field of melanoma research and treatment development. Alexander N. Shoushtari, MD will receive the CURE OM Vision of Hope Award in honor of his exemplary patient care and work towards much needed breakthroughs in ocular melanoma research. For the inspiring bravery they have shown in facing melanoma, Mark McAndrew Brown, Laraine Pirie and Henry Seger will be honored with Courage Awards. A posthumous Courage Award will celebrate the life and enduring memory of Daryl Lynn Pace, whose courageous fight with ocular melanoma was and is an inspiration to our community.

Gala attendees will enjoy a seated gourmet meal, handcrafted cocktails, once-in-a-lifetime auction items and experiences and a special performance by Rebecca Cherry, a critically acclaimed violinist, composer and melanoma survivor. Most importantly, guests will create a powerful and lasting impact by raising life-saving funds for melanoma research. In 2018, gala attendees raised over $1 million to support melanoma research, education and advocacy!

Tickets for the NYC Gala are currently available but will sell out quickly. Sponsorships, journal recognition and VIP packages are also available. Visit https://one.bidpal.net/2019mrfnewyork to purchase tickets, or email galas@melanoma.org for more information. Don’t miss out on the largest and most anticipated event of the year as New York’s most generous business and community leaders come together for an unforgettable night in support of the one million Americans currently living with melanoma – purchase your tickets before they are gone!

About Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers in the United States and can strike men and women of all ages, races and skin types. With a 1 in 50 lifetime risk of developing melanoma, this year more than 192,000 Americans will be diagnosed. Melanoma is the leading cause of cancer death in women 25-to 29-years-old and the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in adolescents and young adults 15-to 29-years-old. Most melanomas occur on the skin; but melanoma can also occur in the eye (ocular, or uveal melanoma), in mucous membranes (mucosal melanoma), or even beneath fingernails or toenails.

About the Melanoma Research Foundation

The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma. Since 1998, the MRF has funded over $17 million in melanoma research, transforming the landscape of treatment development. Committed to the support of medical research in finding effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma, the MRF also educates patients and physicians about prevention, diagnosis and the treatment of melanoma. The MRF is a committed advocate for the melanoma community, helping to raise awareness of the disease and the need for a cure. The MRF’s website is the premier source for melanoma information seekers. More information is available at http://www.melanoma.org. Find the MRF on Facebook and Twitter.

About “With Love, Me”

“With Love, Me,” is a new campaign presented by Merck’s Your Cancer Game Plan that features a series of heartfelt letters written by caregivers and cancer survivors to their newly diagnosed selves and other caregivers, reflecting upon what they wish they had known when they were diagnosed or providing care. A gallery of patient and caregiver letters is featured on the campaign’s website where people can read, view and share stories from others who may have walked in their shoes. Users are also encouraged to share their own #WithLoveMe message online. To learn more, visit WithLoveMe.com.

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