Girls' Generation's Im Yoona has donated 10 million KRW, approximately 90 million USD, to the Korean Retinitis Pigmentosa Association's 'Eradication Charity Music Festival.'

The non-profit organization runs blindness awareness campaigns and provides aid to people suffering from genetic eye diseases. Its founder and president is Choi Jung Nam, the father of Yoona's group-mate Sooyoung. The cause is particularly important to the Choi family since Sooyoung's father was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in 2006. Retinitis pigmentosa is a degenerative disease that causes vision impairment and can eventually lead to permanent blindness.

Sooyoung has volunteered at the organization several times, doing everything from distributing food to carrying out speeches. She discussed her father's organization in the March issue of InStyle, revealing the importance of seminars and initial blindness symptoms people might ignore. She had particularly passionate words about the difference between showing someone suffering from an eye illness consideration rather than sympathy, stating, "Help only driven by the desire to help could make things hard for the visually impaired. In order to lead the way, rather than holding their hand and pulling them along, just quietly offer them your arm."

Now Yoona is showing her passion to spread awareness through this generous donation. The idol is a well-known philanthropist who has also donated to causes such as Dream Hearty, an organization dedicated to helping impoverished children around the world. She is also a UNICEF Ambassador along with SHINee's Minho.

---

About the Author: Elsa is the founder, head writer, and editor of KPopBreak.com. She's a coffee addict, K-pop enthusiast, fashion lover and one of the few remaining members of the Church of Kristianity.