Our doctors giving back to the Calgary Community

CUPS (Calgary Urban Project Society) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping low-income individuals and families with healthcare, education and housing. I have been privileged to be a volunteer optometrist for CUPS for many years by providing free eye exams to patients of CUPS. Any eyewear required by these patients are provided for by the One Sight program.

The stories I have heard from some of these patients are heart-breaking to inspiring to sad. Often they come to CUPS because they have lost their job, because they could not see to do their job, because they broke or lost their eyeglasses. Their background can include mental health issues, abuse, drug addiction, and recent immigration. My volunteer day at CUPS allows me to provide eyecare to these patients, in a clinic with dentists, physicians, nurses, and many other health professionals. The reward I receive is what these patients teach me about their struggles and their lives and what I learn about myself.