2079 surgeries. It sounds fast, but it is a feat that is only possible when you surround yourself with the best professionals. And in Mexico it happened and what a great experience. Thanks to all those who participated, but especially to Fundación Telmex, Eicco Oftalmo, Faco Xtrema, the Mexican Ministry of Health, the Mexican Academy of Surgery, but especially thanks to Priscila, without her, nothing would have been possible. Her energy and willingness to help have literally moved masses. Thank you!

But as always, what better way to know how the experience was lived than with the testimonies of those who participated in them:

I am Dr. Priscila Cruz Flores, my role was to coordinate , it has been a truly transformative and enriching experience, thanks to the opportunity to work alongside a team of exceptional people, not only for their professionalism, but also for their humanity and commitment. Together, we have shown that, with the right collaboration and determination, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve goals that seemed impossible. It has been a real pleasure to work with each of you.

I am Dr Guadalupe Cervantes, I participated as a surgeon in this campaign.
Making a human being ‘see again’ is something magical. is something magical, you allow them to have a better quality of life, and to live it without depending on anyone, especially in their basic activities. You change their future and give them a new desire to live and to do so with joy… In these activities it is demonstrated that ‘unity is strength’, because each of the people who collaborate play an essential role!
It was a great joy to have been part of this historic event! My heartfelt thanks to the organisers and to each of my colleagues. Let’s keep going!

I am Oscar Cervantes, I participated as one of the surgeons of this day.
The satisfaction of bringing together a team from several countries with the aim of changing so many lives in such a short time is indescribable. We are moved towards the same place by the desire for the neediest patients to see again. We are united against cataract blindness.

Hello everyone, my name is Salvador Figueroa and I want to tell you that I am deeply satisfied and excited to have had the opportunity to participate in this day of free cataract surgeries. To see so many people’s lives change in such a positive way after regaining their vision was truly moving. It was an honour to be part of a team that worked tirelessly to bring this opportunity to those who needed it most. This experience reminded me of the importance of giving back and making a difference in the lives of others.

I am Omar Gonzalez, who participated as one of the surgeons on this journey, and it is truly incredible to be able to participate in these actions in favour of the most vulnerable population. To see someone who had been almost blind for years, who couldn’t even see his family, and after the operation, he opens his eyes and sees everything clearly, is something that touches you. It’s like giving life back to people, that they can stand up for themselves again and even smile when they see simple things. Doing this is not just about operating, it’s about really helping, and you realise how important something as basic as seeing is.

I am Shalom Santos, I participated as a cataract surgeon.
I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this journey together with distinguished colleagues where we joined forces to provide ophthalmological care to people in need.
It has been an experience that makes me feel honoured and proud to be able to contribute to this joint effort to reduce the loss of vision due to cataracts, and to positively impact the lives of many families.

For the benefit of suffering humanity, a phrase repeated in my house, since my formation in Guadalajara, by Fray Antonio Alcalde. It fills me with satisfaction to hear a thank you, I can see, receiving a smile fills your soul. Dr. Antonio Pérez, cataract surgeon.

I am Ricardo Flores, cataract surgeon and participant in the campaign. Undoubtedly, to free one person from dependency is already a reason to feel proud, now to contribute so that more than 2,000 people can do it, is gigantic. We are called to serve and as they say ‘he who does not live to serve, does not serve to live’.

I am Juan Luis Ancheta, from Guatemala. I am convinced that God put us on this earth and gave us the gift of healing blindness. For me it is a privilege to be able to share experiences with colleagues who are equally or more passionate than I am about what we do. One day, as we entered the hospital, many people applauded us. I felt a great nostalgia and joy at the same time, knowing that what we do, for many, is something trivial, but for many others it is a heroic act that deserves to be reproduced as long as we live. Thank you very much for making me part of this great project.

I am Dr Enrique Pérez Chávez. I participated as a surgeon in this journey.
A pleasure to serve in this beautiful profession; a pleasure to serve and give to the population that requires my service. And proud to be able to do it together with my valuable colleagues who have the same spirit as me; to serve just for the pleasure of doing it.

Oscar Asis. The train against blindness that our dear and admired Mexican friends have set in motion is unstoppable. We can only thank them for allowing us to participate in the happiness caused to thousands of people.

Dr. Jorge Pongo, Colombia. The gratitude of the Mexican people to the valuable group of Latin American and European ophthalmologists who made it possible to restore the vision of more than 2,000 patients, these actions should be an example for many countries in need. I am grateful and honoured to be part of this group led by young and successful Mexican ophthalmologists.

There are many things I am proud of in life. These campaigns really motivate and give the injection of energy needed to keep going. Helping others and giving them back their sight has a magical touch; and if we add to that all the wills that made it possible, the magic is complete. Really proud to have been able to be part of it. Here’s to many more campaigns doing what we know how to do.
Dr. Gerardo Valvecchia.