Awareness week 2014

Eye health message delivered across Australia

Julie Heraghty CEO of the Macular Disease Foundation Australia stated the Foundation’s annual campaign to raise awareness of macular degeneration was an outstanding success – in fact one of the best responses in the generation of media and interest in the 12 years of organising the campaign.

The Foundation’s important eye health messages on early detection, risk factors, the important role of nutrition and supplements, along with living well with low vision, were spread across the country, with strong support of eye care professionals.

Highlights include television coverage on the Morning Show, Weekend Sunrise, ABC News SA, Today Perth News and Win coverage across regional NSW, VIC and QLD. Widespread radio coverage was gained with an Alan Jones 2GB interview of Foundation CEO Julie Heraghty a stand out.

Extensive print coverage was generated and included a SMH and Age feature of Patron Ita Buttrose promoting the Macular Degeneration Cookbook Eating for Eye Health. Additionally, a vast array of local media was generated by optometrists and ophthalmologists and strong industry support was given online, in print and with Amsler inserts through mivision.

The key message of the campaign was for those over 50 to have an eye test and macula check and to use the Amsler grid between eye tests to monitor for changes in vision.

Julie said, “Macular Degeneration Awareness Week is an initiative of the Macular Disease Foundation Australia and our thanks go to long-term supporters Blackmores and Novartis. Thanks also go to Optometry Australia and the extensive support given by eye health professionals nationally, who raise awareness at a local level. The Foundation also thanks Specsavers who have supported the Foundation through their local community charity program.”

Macular Degeneration Awareness Week 2014 ran from Sunday 25 to Saturday 31 May 2014

Review key coverage:

• Weekend Sunrise television coverage (31 May 2014) highlighting the Foundation’s awareness week including living well with low vision, highlighting low vision aids and technology supplied by Quantum RLV.
• Alan Jones 2GB radio interview (29 May 2014) with Foundation CEO Julie Heraghty highlighted the week and the importance of using an Amsler grid.

Posted: 1 June 2014