Sightlines Newsletter

Thank you for your continued support! By supporting the Foundation in our mission to restore and preserve sight, you rescue thousands from a lifetime of blindness.

Incredible Memories Made at the 2012 Rose Parade

On January 2, the lives of two women close to the Heartland Lions Eye Banks family were honored on the 2012 Donate Life Rose Parade float. Mariah West, an eye, organ and tissue donor, was memorialized on a floragraph while Darian Vanderhoofven, our colleague who lost her life in the Joplin tornado, received a rose on the float in her honor from Donate Life America.

Our floragraph decorating ceremony on December 18th in Joplin was truly a moving experience. Both Mariah's and Darian's families were able to decorate Mariah's floragraph before it was sent to Pasadena. In addition, KSN ran a wonderful story on Mariah and the float.

We thank everyone who was able to join us for this event and all of you for your support of donation!

In Your Community

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National Glaucoma Awareness Month

January 1-31, 2012
Throughout the month of January, seniors can get a free Healthy Vision Screening from the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation, which screens for glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. To find a screening in your area or to schedule a screening at your facility, visit www.mlerf.org.

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Healthy Vision Screening

January 28, 2012, 10 a.m.
Clarksville Eagle Days
Clarksville Visitor's Center
Clarksville, MO
The Foundation will provide free Healthy Vision Screenings to visitors at the Clarksville Eagle Days on Saturday.

Saving Seniors' Sight During National Glaucoma Awareness Month

It's a gradual and painless disease that slowly steals the sight of its victim, which once lost, can never be regained. Each year, more than 46,000 Missourians suffer from glaucoma, the second leading cause of adult blindness, but only half know they are afflicted simply because they do not have access to or the resources for regular eye exams.

However, during National Glaucoma Awareness Month this January, seniors can get access to free vision screenings to help protect their precious eyesight. Since 1981, the Foundation has provided free glaucoma screenings to 40,000 Missourians through our free Healthy Vision Screening program...

Lion's Legacy Lives on Through Eye Donation

In McDonald, Kan., Duane Wilkens was long known as someone you could turn to for help in the community.

A grain elevator operator, father to three, and grandfather to seven, Duane devoted much of his free time to his family, yet still found time in his busy schedule to lend a hand to organizations in McDonald. When Duane passed away in February 2010, his family didn't think twice about helping their father's caring spirit live on through two cornea recipients...

Meet Mike and Help Us Make More Stories Like His Happen

This holiday, Mike and other cornea recipients were able to take in the sights of the season thanks to the generosity of financial contributors like you!

If you haven't donated to our holiday campaign, it's not too late! Please join us in saving sight this year by making a donation to the Foundation and Eye Bank. With your help, 2012 will look brighter for thousands of individuals facing vision loss.

Missouri Lions Clubs

Take a look at what we're doing in your community! Review the monthly program stats for your Lions district and the top giving Lions Clubs for 7/1/11 - 12/31/11