Celina Rotarians learn campaign has helped about 350 people see again

CELINA - A Celina Rotary Club-orchestrated campaign in the last three and a half years has restored the sight of roughly 350 Costa Ricans via cataract surgeries.

Yet Rotarian Chuck Stammen, who has headed up the trips, said much work lies ahead with as many as 900 people still on a waiting list to have their cataracts removed.

A Rotary-organized and funded coalition of surgeons and volunteers has undertaken seven missions to Nicoya, Costa Rica, Stammen said. The Central American country exists in a so-called blue zone, an area where people live much longer than elsewhere in the world, due in part to low stress and good diet.

With longer lifespans comes the likelihood of ailments and illnesses, he noted. Many Costa Ricans, who are exposed to much sunlight, suffer from cataracts, which occur when an eye's lens becomes cloudy and dark.

"Down there, if you look at the size of these cataracts … they look like M&Ms almost. Some of them are that big," Stammen said. "They are legally blind out of that eye."

So far, five different surgeons have traveled with Rotarians to a hospital in Nicoya. Those with the most pressing needs are targeted for surgery.

Most of the surgeons typically perform 12 to 14 operations a day. Dr. John Pajka of Lima, however, can treat as many as 60 people over three days, Stammen pointed out.

"So he's pretty amazing," he said. "We have hundreds of volunteers and hospital staff members that helped us during this time."

Rotarian President Ike Coate said he was deeply moved while helping out during the last trip, explaining once these people's vision is restored they are no longer a liability for their family.

Coate said one day he was tasked with removing the surgical patch covering patients' eyes after the procedure.

"The very first person I took it off (of), their eyes got twice as big and … all of a sudden I've got arms around me, (and I) started crying," he recalled. "And then all of a sudden I've got a whole family around me, and that's what that means to them."

Rotarians have been able to keep the cost down to $185 per surgery, Stammen said.

"We couldn't do that without all the volunteer help. No way," he said.

Coate said it's paramount that Rotarians sustain momentum and excitement for the mission trips.

"It's a project that I think is very worthwhile to continue to do," he said.

Area Rotary clubs have donated to the cause, and Coate said he will attempt to spur interest among other clubs outside the immediate area.