What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes that affects the back of the eye. When someone has high and varying blood sugar levels, the blood vessels in the retina can become irreversibly damaged. This can lead to loss of vision and eventually blindness.

How can you tell if diabetes is affecting your eyes?

Diabetic retinopathy commonly occurs in both eyes and most often starts with no visual symptoms. In the early stages, the walls of the blood vessels in the retina weaken. This can cause fluid and blood to leak into the eye, which sometimes results in blurred vision. Some other symptoms which could develop later include fluctuating vision, double vision, floaters, and impaired colour vision. Diabetes can also cause other eye conditions such as cataract and glaucoma.

What are the stages of diabetic retinopathy?

There are four stages of diabetic retinopathy: Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy, Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy, Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy and Proliferative Retinopathy.

Can lowering blood sugar level help with diabetic retinopathy?

When blood sugar levels are consistently high, the chances of diabetic retinopathy developing are high. That is why it is important to control your blood sugar levels in order to slow down diabetic retinopathy’s progression to vision loss.

What is the cure for diabetic retinopathy?

While diabetic retinopathy can not be cured, treatments can help prevent or delay vision loss for anyone who has diabetes. For people with diabetes, it is critical to receive regular eye examinations as early detection and treatment can help prevent vision loss. These eye health examinations should be done annually or every two years at a minimum by an eye care practitioner.

Corporate Giving: What Is It And Why Is It So Important?

In today's world, businesses have a significant role to play not only in generating profits but also in making a positive impact on society.

Corporate giving, also known as corporate philanthropy, refers to the act of businesses donating money, resources, or time to support various social causes and initiatives. This blog will delve into the concept of corporate giving, explore its importance, and highlight the benefits it brings to both businesses and communities.

COVER PHOTO: The Fred Hollows Foundation

What is corporate giving?

Corporate giving encompasses a wide range of activities undertaken by companies to support charitable causes. These initiatives can include monetary donations, employee volunteer programs, in-kind contributions, sponsorships, and partnerships with nonprofit organisations. The goal of corporate giving is to create a positive impact on society by addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges.

Corporate giving goes beyond writing checks or making donations; it represents a commitment by businesses to be agents of positive change. By engaging in philanthropy, companies can fulfil their social responsibility, enhance their reputation, and contribute to the well-being of communities.

In an era where stakeholders increasingly expect companies to have a broader purpose beyond profits, corporate giving has become an essential aspect of sustainable and responsible business practices.

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Partake in social responsibility and build a strong reputation
Improve employee engagement and retention
Strengthen communities
Improve collaboration and innovation
Financial and tax benefits

Partake in social responsibility and build a strong reputation

Companies have a responsibility to contribute positively to the communities in which they operate. Presently, we find ourselves in an era where consumers demand businesses to have a positive impact. Purchasing patterns are increasingly intertwined with the ethics, impact, and purpose upheld by an organisation.

Corporate giving allows businesses to fulfil their social obligations, demonstrating their commitment to being good corporate citizens. By actively engaging in philanthropic activities, companies can enhance their reputation, build trust with stakeholders, and establish themselves as socially conscious organisations.

The performance of businesses is becoming influenced by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors to make a significant impact. Research indicates that consumers have a deeper comprehension of the wide-ranging factors that influence business performance, profitability, and market valuations.

Photo Credit: The Fred Hollows Foundation

Improve employee engagement and retention

Corporate giving programs provide employees with opportunities to give back to society and engage in meaningful activities beyond their regular work responsibilities.

Research shows that the cost of losing an employee is estimated to be approximately one-third of their annual salary. Consequently, if your business is struggling with employee retention issues, it can have a substantial impact on your financial performance and potentially harm your company's reputation in the process.

When employees are involved in philanthropic initiatives, they experience a sense of pride and satisfaction, leading to increased morale and job satisfaction. Moreover, corporate giving programs can serve as a tool for attracting and retaining top talent, as employees often seek purpose-driven organisations that align with their personal values.

Strengthen communities

Corporate giving plays a crucial role in addressing societal challenges and improving the well-being of communities.

By supporting initiatives related to education, healthcare, environmental conservation, poverty alleviation, and more, businesses can contribute to the development and sustainability of the communities they operate in.

By contributing to an organisation like The Fred Hollows Foundation, businesses can make a substantial impact on the lives of numerous individuals living with avoidable blindness. Through partnerships with The Fred Hollows Foundation, corporations exhibit their dedication to social responsibility and contribute to The Foundation's goal of delivering sustainable eye care solutions to underprivileged communities.

These efforts have the potential to create positive ripple effects by improving the quality of life, promoting economic growth, and empowering individuals and groups in need.

Photographer: The Fred Hollows Foundation

Improve collaboration and innovation

Corporate giving often involves partnering with nonprofit organisations and other stakeholders. This collaboration fosters knowledge-sharing, resource pooling, and the exchange of ideas.

By working together, businesses and nonprofits can leverage their respective strengths and expertise to tackle complex social issues. Additionally, corporate giving encourages innovation, as companies may support initiatives that align with their core competencies, allowing them to make a meaningful impact in areas related to their business operations.

Financial and tax benefits

Corporate giving can offer financial advantages to businesses. By making donations to eligible charitable organisations like The Fred Hollows Foundation, businesses can reduce their taxable income, leading to lower tax liabilities.

Additionally, philanthropic initiatives can lead to positive brand exposure, potentially attracting new customers, investors, and partners, ultimately benefiting the bottom line of the company.

INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING THE FRED HOLLOWS FOUNDATION?

Would you like to invest in The Foundation’s vision to end avoidable blindness? Find out more about Philanthropy and Major gifts.
Is your company interested in becoming The Fred Hollows Foundation’s corporate partner? Find out more.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Garu Baskaran- The Fred Hollows Foundation

Garu is a digital content writer at The Fred Hollows Foundation. She is inspired by Fred Hollows, who chose to act when faced with obstacles and is proud to help carry on his vision of a world where nobody is needlessly blind.