Deb White

We would like to introduce you to Deb White, a longtime Sustainers Circle donor. Deb has become an incredible advocate for our organization. She has chosen to use her talents to help change lives. Here is her story.

After reading Second Suns for a book club, Deb White was touched by the story of Himalayan Cataract Project's co-founders, Drs. Geoff Tabin and Sanduk Ruit. Legally blind herself, Deb could relate to the struggles associated with cataracts and vision loss, and wanted to give back.

She could not believe how simple it was to give a person in the developing world the opportunity to regain their sight. "I was really struck by the fact that a simple procedure, which costs about $25, can literally restore a life," says Deb. "That's amazing."

While she can understand how it feels to lose vision, Deb says she can't imagine living under the conditions many are dealing with in remote areas around the world. So, she is doing what she can to raise money to help the Himalayan Cataract Project reach these people.

Using her creativity, Deb has raised almost $25,000 through the sale of her custom-made jigsaw puzzles, turning bowls, cribbage tournaments, garage sales, bake sales, and selling photo stationery. She has also raised awareness and funds through biking, previously, she biked from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. Recently, she traveled to Nepal, visited Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology and trekked the foothills of the Himalayas.

A retired math teacher, Deb now helps to run a maple sugar camp with her partner, Jim. She also volunteers at a local food facility called "Feed MY Starving Children."