MLERF Selected as a Best NonProfit Organization to Work for 2011!

The Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation was recently selected as one of the Best NonProfit Organizations to Work for 2011. The awards program was created in 2010 and is a project of The NonProfit Times and Best Companies Group.

This nationwide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in the nonprofit industry, benefitting the industry's economy, its workforce and businesses. The Best NonProfit Organizations to Work for 2011 is made up of 50 organizations...

Grant Award Helps MLERF Spread Glaucoma Awareness to Hispanic Community

Since 1981, the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation, headquartered in Columbia, has provided free glaucoma screenings to 35,000 Missourians through its Healthy Vision Screening program. After witnessing the devastating effects of the disease in the Hispanic community, the Foundation saw an opportunity to increase glaucoma awareness in Mid-Missouri.

Through a partnership with Columbia’s Centro Latino and Tomando control de su Salud and a $5,110 2011 Healthy Vision Community Award from the National Institute of Health/National Eye Institute, the Foundation is launching its “Enfoque en La Glaucoma” ("Focus on Glaucoma") campaign targeting the Hispanic population starting May 1, 2011...

Tissue Donors Gifts Give Hope for Sight to Transplant Recipient

In 2002 Kathy’s life was forever changed when she was broadsided by a driver who ran a red light while on his cell phone.  Car battery acid hit both of Kathy’s eyes, causing grade 4 chemical burns.  The chemical burns on her eyes caused complete limbal stem cell failure. Without limbal stem cells, Kathy’s corneas were not able to heal and her eyes became vascularized.  She was told that she would have to prepare to go blind.

“Every day I’d wake up and wonder ‘How much sight am I going to lose today?’" Kathy recalled...

Covidien Employees Wear Jeans to Save Sight

Looking for an easy way to help support a nonprofit organization like the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation? Then look no further than your office or cubicle!

At the St. Louis headquarters of Covidien’s pharmaceuticals business, Jeans Days have been excellent opportunities for both teambuilding and fundraising.

On Jeans Days, employees simply give a donation in exchange for wearing denim to work on a company-chosen day once a month. Funds are then donated to local nonprofits based on recommendations from the employees themselves...

Keep an Eye on Your Vision

May is Healthy Vision Month, a national eye health observance established by the National Eye Institute (NEI) in May 2003. 

Americans agree that eyesight has a huge impact on day-to-day living and is one of the senses they fear losing most. Unfortunately, people often do not pay attention to their eye health unless they notice a problem. Many common eye diseases that can lead to vision loss and blindness, such as diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, or age-related macular degeneration, often have no early warning signs or symptoms...

 

During National Donate Life Month this April, the Eye Bank was honored to join our partners in donation in hosting Celebration of Life events. Here are some news articles on the events:

"University Hospital Honors Organ Donors," KOMU-TV - includes interview with cornea recipient and Eye Bank Executive Director, Dr. Ron Walkenbach

"Mother tells how teen organ donor helped others," Neosho Daily News - interview with Merry Dye, MTN and HLEB donor mom and spokesperson for AT&T's "It Can Wait" campaign

"Organ donation can be bittersweet," St. Joseph News-Press - Includes interview with Kris Keller, the Eye Bank's hospital coordinator in Kansas City

Columbia Farmers Market Healthy Vision Screening
May 21, 2011, 7 a.m.
Columbia Farmers Market
6600 N. O'Neil Road
Columbia, MO 65202
Join the Columbia 20/20 Lions Club and MLERF for one of the largest adult vision screening events in Columbia.

Kansas Lions State Convention
June 2-4, 2011
Holiday Inn
200 McDonald Dr.
Lawrence, KS 66044
Stop by the Eye Bank's booth in Regency D to learn more about eye donation and join the Kansas donor registry.

MLERF Board Meeting & Educational Forum
June 4, 2011, 9 a.m.
Stoney Creek Inn
2601 S. Providence Road
Columbia, MO 65203
All Lions members are invited to attend our quarterly board meeting. For more information, email info@mlerf.org.

Lions All-Star Basketball Classic
June 11, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
W.E. Dowell Field House, Baptist Bible College
500 E. Kearney
Springfield, MO 65803
Basketball stars from around southwest Missouri will once again battle for victory at this annual event. Proceeds benefit MLERF.

Take a look at what we're doing in your community! Review the monthly program stats for your Lions district.

Top Giving Lions Clubs for 7/1/10 - 4/30/11