Accessibility and Affordability at the Heart of the Mission
Somerset, NJ | April 28, 2026 — The Eye Foundation of America (EFA) hosted an elegant and impactful Charity Gala on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at The Imperia in Somerset, New Jersey, bringing together philanthropists, medical professionals, business leaders, and community advocates united by a single vision: a world free from preventable childhood blindness.
Held under the theme “Join Our Vision,” the gala highlighted the critical importance of collective action in expanding access to affordable and high‑quality eye care for children across underserved communities worldwide. The evening served as both a celebration of progress and a powerful call to action to address the urgent global challenge of childhood blindness.
The event was hosted under the leadership of Dr. V. K. Raju, Founder of the Eye Foundation of America, and Dr. Leela V. Raju, President of the Foundation. Members of the Board of Trustees, including Sam Maddali, Sekhar Vemparala, and Srinu Maddula, were recognized for their years of stewardship and dedication to advancing the Foundation’s mission
“Every child deserves to see the world with clarity and purpose,” said Dr. Vadrevu K. Raju, world‑renowned ophthalmologist, philanthropist, and founder of EFA, addressing attendees during the gala. “Let us join hands to eradicate childhood blindness and unlock a brighter future for generations to come.”
Dr. Raju spoke about transformative advances in medicine and technology—particularly the emergence of gene therapy and stem therapy, which are reshaping the diagnosis and treatment of inherited and degenerative eye diseases. “Breakthroughs in this field are opening new possibilities for conditions once considered untreatable, offering renewed hope to patients and families affected by vision loss,” he noted.
However, he emphasized that innovation alone is not enough. “The greatest challenge is ensuring these life‑changing treatments are accessible and affordable to the millions of children who need them most.” Dr. Raju assured the audience that funds raised during the gala would directly support EFA’s long‑term mission to deliver restorative and preventive vision care to children in underserved regions.
With the support of matching funds, the 2026 Charity Gala successfully raised $900,000. Dr. Raju announced that these contributions will significantly advance the Foundation’s mission and bolster its global initiatives to eliminate childhood blindness.
Sam Maddali, a Board Trustee of the Foundation and a key organizer of the gala, reinforced the urgency of the cause. “Childhood blindness is a solvable problem, but it requires collective action,” he said, urging the participants“to support the Foundation’s mission, launched 49 years ago, which has already transformed hundreds of thousands of lives.”
For nearly five decades, Dr. Raju and the Eye Foundation of America have remained steadfast in their crusade to eliminate avoidable blindness in regions impacted by poverty and limited access to healthcare. Guided by the principles of service, teaching, and research, EFA continues to expand its global reach
The Foundation achieves this mission through a comprehensive approach that includes eye camps, permanent hospitals in developing countries, training medical professionals, and educating communities about preventive eye care and healthy lifestyle choices. By empowering individuals with knowledge and access to care, EFA helps prevent avoidable vision loss while enabling families and communities to thrive.
Through EFA’s initiatives, teachers are trained to identify early signs of eye problems in children, communities are educated on injury prevention, and patients receive free or subsidized surgeries and follow‑up care. These sustained efforts have made a lasting impact: EFA has served approximately 2.5 million patients and performed more than 340,000 vision‑saving surgeries, including over 30,000 surgeries for children. Over four decades of service, Dr. Raju’s work has restored sight to millions in India and around the world.
Dr. Srinu Maddula, PharmD, a Board Trustee and distinguished entrepreneur, shared his deeply personal connection to the Foundation’s mission.“We must find it within ourselves to look around and ask how we can touch the human experience and help those less fortunate,” Dr. Maddula said. “When you help a baby open her eyes for the first time, you truly change the world—one baby at a time, one family at a time, one village at a time, and one generation at a time. The power we hold to make that difference is far greater than we often realize.”
Echoing those sentiments, Sekhar Vemparala, another Board Trustee and gala organizer, said, “Together, we can ensure that every child has access to quality eye care and a genuine opportunity to reach their full potential.” He reaffirmed his continued collaboration and support for EFA’s efforts to eradicate childhood blindness worldwide.
The evening concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks from Dr. Leela V. Raju, who expressed deep appreciation to the guests, donors, volunteers, and Trustees whose dedication made the gala a success. “Thank you for joining us to support the noble initiatives of the Eye Foundation,” said Dr. Leela V. Raju in her vote of thanks. She extended her heartfelt gratitude to all those wo had come out to join in and support the Charity Gala, and highlighted the efforts of Members of the Board of Trustees—including Sam Maddali, Sekhar Vemparala, and Srinu Maddula, who had been instrumental in organizing the event.
Dr. Leela Raju also emphasized the importance of awareness. “We must ensure more people understand the causes of childhood blindness and the practical steps we can take together to prevent it,” she said.
The gala featured a vibrant program that blended philanthropy with celebration, including live musical entertainment by the Lehari Band, a silent auction, raffles, and a live auction showcasing luxury vacations to Caribbean and Mexican island resorts, along with fine jewelry. These activities played a significant role in raising funds for the Foundation’s ongoing initiatives.
Adding emotional depth to the evening, the event’s emcee invited guests to reflect on the fragility of sight. “Close your eyes for a moment. Now imagine never being able to open them to the colors of life, a loved one’s smile, or the pages of a favorite story,” the emcee said. “For millions of premature babies, this is reality. Retinopathy of Prematurity is a silent thief of sight.Your kindness tonight can save a child’s vision, their future, and their dreams.”
Proceeds from the Charity Gala will directly support these efforts, reinforcing EFA’s commitment to awareness, prevention, and lifesaving eye care for those most in need.
About the Eye Foundation of America
Founded in 1977 by Dr. V. K. Raju, the Eye Foundation of America (EFA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating preventable blindness and improving access to quality eye care globally. What began as a mission to serve communities in southern India has grown into a global network collaborating with doctors and nonprofits in over 30 countries. Through education, service programs, and community partnerships, EFA works to ensure that people of all ages can lead healthier, vision‑enabled lives. To learn more or to support the mission, visit www.EyeFoundationofAmerica.org.