Macon Woman Bounces Back After Cornea Surgery

After a cataract surgery failed to bring back the vision she was hoping for, Nancy of Macon, Mo. was surprised to learn her right cornea had been damaged during the procedure. To regain the sight in her eye, she was told the only way to correct the problem would be a cornea transplant.

Nancy, like anyone in her situation, was nervous about the procedure. “A transplant sounded awful. I thought, I can see out of my left eye. That’s enough.” Finally, her friend and physician encouraged her to take the step to not only improve her sight, but her overall well-being.

Remembered Nancy, “She said, ‘Nancy, what do you have to lose? It’s the easiest transplant of all and almost always successful.’ She was right. I couldn’t see out of my eye, I was in pretty good health. Why not? I wasn’t 110 yet and planned on using my eyes for a while longer.”

With support from her husband and two sons, Nancy underwent her cornea transplant in January 2007 under the care of Dr. Lawrence Gans in St. Louis. She commends the doctor for calming her nerves and doing everything possible to ensure her recovery was as pain-free as possible. “I had no pain, no itching. Just vision. Dr. Gans was thrilled with the results and so was I!”

While her recovery took some time, the end results were worth the wait. Today, Nancy can see 20/30 in her right eye – a remarkable change considering she had no vision in her eye before the transplant. This 80-year-old continues to stay busy playing bridge and making beautiful music on the piano. She even feels more comfortable driving again since her recovery.

Nancy thanks Dr. Gans, Heartland Lions Eye Banks, the Missouri Lions and especially her donor who have all made her new vision possible. She also encourages others to give the gift of sight by registering to become a donor. “If there’s any chance you can help somebody see, what a blessing that would be! I think it would give a great satisfaction to anyone who would pledge to donate.”

Celebrate National Donate Life Month This April

April 1st kicked off the sixth annual National Donate Life Month (NDLM), a time when we celebrate the generosity of organ and eye donors and encourage Missouri residents to join the state's donor registry.

In recognition of NDLM, Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation and the Eye Bank help sponsor Celebration of Life events throughout the region. We invite you to join us at a Celebration of Life event in your area and honor those who have given the gift of life.

• April 14 - Freeman Health System Business Center, Joplin, 6 p.m.
• April 17 - Donate Life Health Fair and Donor Dedication Service, University Hospital, Columbia, 12 p.m.

Spread the Word About Eyeglass Recycling

With spring cleaning in full force and Earth Day just around the corner, there's no better time to talk about the convenience and importance of eyeglass recycling.

During the month of April, the Foundation will be encouraging the public to donate their used eyeglasses to the Lions. As a Lions member, you can help us in our efforts by responding to recycling inquiries, distributing recycling boxes at eye doctors, grocery stores and other businesses in your district and explaining the importance of eyeglass recycling throughout your community. For assistance, please call the Foundation PR department at (800) 283-1982.

Thank you again for everything you do to give the gift of sight to thousands worldwide!

Upcoming Dates to Remember

National Donate Life Month
April 1-30
Pledge to become an organ, eye and tissue donor this month at www.missouriorgandonor.com.

2009 Missouri Lions State Convention
May 1-3
Holiday Inn & Hammons Convention Center, Joplin, MO

Foundation Board of Directors Meeting and Educational Forum
June 6, 9:00 a.m.
600 South Legion Lane, Columbia, MO

Foundation Board of Directors Meeting
September 12, 9:00 a.m.
404 Portland, Columbia, MO

Foundation board meetings are open to all Missouri Lions. For more information, contact info@mlerf.org.