MINNEAPOLIS
(December 19, 2012) –Starkey Hearing Foundation wrapped up
their second mission to the Philippines last week with help
from legendary singer-songwriter, Sir Elton John and David
Furnish. John and Furnish joined the Foundation in Manila
and helped fit more than 400 hearing aids to children and
adults in need, allowing many to hear for the first time in
their lives.
In 2004 and 2009, John was the headlining performer at the
Foundation’s annual So The World May Hear Awards
Gala, and he and Furnish have supported Starkey Hearing
Foundation’s work for several years since then. This was
their first opportunity to personally participate in a
mission and give the gift of hearing.
“We are working to create peace and understanding around the
world through the gift of hearing, and it is not possible
without all the efforts of our friends and partners,” said
Bill Austin, Founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation. “We are
so honored to have the support of Sir Elton John and David
Furnish and that they would take the time to help us deliver
this precious gift.”
Starkey Hearing Foundation was also in the Philippines last
December, delivering the gift of hearing to nearly 1,400
people in Manila, Bohol and Cebu with help from professional
boxer, Manny Pacquiao and Los Angeles Galaxy soccer player,
Landon Donovan. The Foundation plans to return in March 2013
to fit approximately 7,500 hearing aids in Manila, Batangas
and General Santos.
This Philippines
mission was the conclusion of a major mission circuit for
Starkey Hearing Foundation. The team visited 13 additional
cities in five countries—Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia
and India—and distributed more than 24,000 hearing aids over
six weeks.
Starkey Hearing Foundation conducts approximately 70
missions each year, both domestically and internationally.
Hearing missions are the primary way the Foundation realizes
its goal – So the World May Hear. Starkey Hearing
Foundation continues to fulfill its Clinton Global
Initiative (CGI) commitment to provide more than 100,000
hearing aids to people in need each year and more than one
million this decade.
According to Starkey Hearing Foundation, hearing loss is
pervasive, affecting 34 million Americans – or one in 10.
Yet, with the help of a hearing device, hearing loss can
often be corrected in a majority cases, giving an individual
the opportunity to better connect with their family, the
community and the world around them.
About Starkey Hearing Foundation
Starkey Hearing Foundation is bringing understanding among
individuals and communities through hearing care by focusing
on awareness, education, protection and treatment, so the
world may hear. Hearing loss affects one in 10 Americans,
and 63 million children worldwide, yet many do not have
access to the hearing devices that can help them. Starkey
Hearing Foundation fits and gives more than 100,000 hearing
aids annually, and as a member of President Clinton’s Global
Initiative, it has pledged to fit one million hearing aids
this decade. In addition to giving the gift of hearing
through worldwide hearing missions, Starkey Hearing
Foundation promotes hearing health awareness and education
through the Listen Carefully initiative and provides hearing
instruments to low-income Americans through the Hear Now
program. For more information on Starkey Hearing Foundation,
visit www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org.
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