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CAS and Bob Massie Honored at People of Vision Award Dinner

News release issued on March 14, 2008, by Prevent Blindness Ohio

COLUMBUS - Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) and President Robert J. Massie were recognized for outstanding community service and philanthropic vision at Prevent Blindness Ohio's 23rd annual People of Vision Award Dinner. CareWorks and its Chairman and CEO William W. Pfeiffer served as Chair of the gala dinner at the Hyatt Regency Columbus from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Lindsey Seavert of WBNS-TV Channel 10 emceed the event.

The People of Vision Award was established in 1985 by Prevent Blindness Ohio to recognize selected Ohio corporations and their top leadership for outstanding community vision. The People of Vision Award Dinner is recognized as one of central Ohio's premier charitable events. More than 300 community leaders attended the event and raised more than $140,000 gross to support the sight-saving programs of Prevent Blindness Ohio.

Prevent Blindness Ohio's mission is to prevent blindness and preserve sight through advocacy, research and early detection. Prevent Blindness Ohio provides direct services to more than 800,000 Ohioans annually and arms millions of consumers with information to preserve their precious gift of sight. Last year, Prevent Blindness Ohio provided access to comprehensive eye exams and eyeglasses to 5,242 medically indigent adults and children.

CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society, provides the world's largest and most current collection of chemical and scientific related information. This information is combined with the latest search and analysis technologies to deliver the most complete, cross-linked and effective digital environment for scientific research and discovery around the globe. This event honored CAS and President Robert J. Massies leadership, excellence, and vision of community.

More Ohioans than ever are facing the threat of blindness from age-related eye disease. In Franklin County, more than 227,000 adults have vision impairment and age-related eye diseases including cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Statewide, one out of every four school-aged children has a vision problem that may be undetected or untreated. In Ohio, approximately 6% of children enter school each year with undetected and untreated vision problems. If left untreated, these vision problems can cause permanent damage to their eyes and impede their success in school.

Prevent Blindness Ohio, founded in 1957, is Ohio's leading volunteer nonprofit public health organization dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight. We serve all 88 Ohio counties, providing direct services to more than 800,000 Ohioans annually and educating millions of consumers about what they can do to protect and preserve their precious gift of sight. Prevent Blindness Ohio is an affiliate of Prevent Blindness America, the country's second-oldest national voluntary health organization. For more information or to make a contribution, visit the website at www.pbohio.org or call 800-301-2020.