Honoring and recognizing Wills Eye Institute in Philadelphia for their work in supporting victims of violence and championing the courage of Iranian women, who were shot during protests in their home country, through the Eyes on Humanity Fund.

WHEREAS, Wills Eye Institute, established in 1832 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, stands as one of the nation’s foremost institutions for eye care, research, and education, with a longstanding commitment to global health and the advancement of vision care for all; and

WHEREAS, Wills Eye Institute has demonstrated extraordinary humanitarian leadership through the creation of the

Eyes on Humanity Fund

, established on behalf of victims of violence around the world, with an emphasis on providing life-changing ophthalmic care to those most in need; and

WHEREAS, The Fund was inspired by the powerful and heartbreaking story of Raheleh, a young Iranian woman who was shot in the right eye at close range during a

Woman, Life, Freedom

demonstration in Iran, courageously advocating for her rights and the rights of all women in her country; and

WHEREAS, Raheleh endured a year-long search for international ophthalmic care before receiving treatment at Wills Eye Institute, where she underwent a complex, combined corneal and retinal surgery to restore her vision; and

WHEREAS, The

Eyes on Humanity Fund

will continue to support patients like Raheleh, whose vision has been threatened or lost due to violence, conflict, or oppression, ensuring that financial and geographic barriers do not stand in the way of critical medical care; and

WHEREAS, This initiative has been made possible by the generosity of a compassionate community of donors whose support empowers the Fund to offer both healing and hope, while establishing a new global model for ophthalmic assistance to victims of eye trauma; and

WHEREAS, The work of Wills Eye Institute and the

Eyes on Humanity Fund

exemplifies a profound commitment to both medical excellence and humanitarian values, particularly in their support of the brave women of Iran who have risked their lives and their futures in the pursuit of justice, dignity, and basic human rights; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby formally honors and commends Wills Eye Institute for its exceptional service to humanity, its advancement of global eye care and its advocacy for victims of violence, especially through the Eyes on Humanity Fund.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the leadership and staff of Wills Eye Institute in recognition of their compassionate care, international outreach and enduring impact on lives around the world.

End