Founding Director of The Fred Hollows Foundation Gabi Hollows has been awarded the inaugural Ryman Prize in recognition of her tireless work over more than two decades to help restore sight to those most in need.
The Ryman Prize is a US$150,000 international prize for the best work in the world that has enhanced quality of life for older people. The prize is awarded in New Zealand but is open to anyone, anywhere in the world with a “bright idea”.
Ms. Hollows set up The Foundation with her late husband Professor Fred Hollows. Together, they gathered a team around them to tackle the problem of preventable blindness in the developing world and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Fred Hollows Foundation now works in more than 25 countries, providing affordable, high-quality, sight-restoring surgery to some of the poorest people in the world.
In the 23 years since The Foundation was established, more than one million people have had their sight restored. Many of those helped are older people with cataracts who could not have otherwise afforded surgery.
“We are incredibly proud of all Gabi has achieved and are grateful for the prize money that will help The Foundation continue our mission of ending avoidable blindness,” said Nick Martin, The Foundation’s Director of Public Affairs.
Gabi was selected by the Ryman Prize’s international jury from nominees around the world.
