Give the Gift of Sight This Year-End
This year-end, $120 sponsors a cataract surgery in rural Mali and $25 funds eye check-ups. See how it works and how to give sight as a gift.
By Embrace Relief Team · Updated October 23, 2026
The useful part before the long read.
$120 sponsors one cataract surgery, $240 sponsors two, and $600 sponsors five.
$25 funds free eye check-ups in our mobile clinic truck.
Surgery takes about 15 minutes. Our health program reports 96% vision gain and 98% patient satisfaction.
2026 so far: 840 free cataract surgeries in our mobile unit. Year-end goal: 500 more.
For someone who is blind from cataracts, a short operation can restore sight. This year-end, $120 sponsors one cataract surgery in rural Mali through Embrace Relief's mobile clinic, and $25 funds free eye check-ups that find the people who need it. Embrace Relief reports 45,500+ cataract surgeries to date. Before 2026 ends, we aim to provide 500 more surgeries for people on the waiting list.
Why cataract surgery is a powerful year-end gift
Cataracts cloud the lens of the eye and are a leading cause of blindness worldwide. The World Health Organization's World report on vision (2019) estimates that at least 1 billion people live with vision impairment that could have been prevented or has not yet been addressed. That includes about 94 million people with cataracts. Cataract surgery is a safe, well-established treatment, but in remote areas it is often out of reach because of distance and cost.
When sight returns, a person can work, farm, care for family, and move around safely again. Often a family member who had been acting as a caregiver can return to school or work, too.
How our mobile cataract clinic works in Mali
- 1Outreach: teams travel to rural villages, including in the Macina region, and spread the word about free eye care.
- 2Eye check-ups: patients are screened in the mobile clinic truck. A $25 gift funds these check-ups.
- 3Surgery: eligible patients receive cataract surgery, which takes about 15 minutes.
- 4Follow-up: patients receive post-operative care to protect the result.
Read their stories in Seeing Again: cataract patient stories from Mali.
What your gift provides
| Gift | What it provides |
|---|---|
| $25 | Free eye check-ups in the mobile clinic truck |
| $120 | One cataract surgery |
| $240 | Two cataract surgeries |
| $600 | Five cataract surgeries |
| $120 per month | One surgery every month |
Give sight as a gift in someone's name
Looking for a meaningful holiday gift? Through our Gift Catalog you can give a cataract surgery in someone's name and send them an e-card. It suits family members, teachers, colleagues, or anyone who "has everything."
Make it count for 2026
Gifts made by December 31, 2026 count for the 2026 tax year. New for 2026: you can deduct up to $1,000 in cash gifts even if you don't itemize ($2,000 for married couples filing jointly). See our 2026 charitable tax deduction guide. To compare clean water, sight, and orphan care, read year-end giving 2026.
Related reading: how much cataract surgery costs in Africa and preventable blindness in Africa.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to give someone the gift of sight?
Through Embrace Relief, $120 sponsors one cataract surgery in rural Mali. $240 sponsors two and $600 sponsors five. A $25 gift funds free eye check-ups in the mobile clinic truck.
How long does cataract surgery take?
Cataract surgery in Embrace Relief's program takes about 15 minutes per surgery, followed by post-operative care.
How many cataract surgeries has Embrace Relief provided?
Embrace Relief reports 45,500+ cataract surgeries. In 2026, its mobile unit has provided 840 free cataract surgeries so far, with a year-end goal of 500 more.
Can I give a cataract surgery as a gift in someone's name?
Yes. Through Embrace Relief's Gift Catalog, you can give a cataract surgery in someone's name and send them an e-card.
Is my year-end donation tax-deductible?
Embrace Relief Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 26-2393075), and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Gifts must be made by December 31 to count for that tax year.