After Loss, Mom of Two Finds Hope Through Her Donor Family

At age 42, Mary of Emporia, Kan. was diagnosed with Fuchs’ dystrophy, a progressive disease in which one’s vision becomes blurred. Like many younger patients who face the disease, Mary wondered how she could juggle her family and busy career as her eyesight deteriorated.

Explained Mary, “It seemed to progress quickly, and I had stopped driving at night, which was so difficult having kids and their various activities. I no longer felt comfortable doing certain things at work, and I felt panicked (and a little pitiful) that I was losing my vision.”

While she found ways to adapt her life and her work as a nurse around Fuchs’, a tragic turn of events made simply dealing with her vision loss no longer viable...

Art Contest and Gallery Honors Donor Families and Recipients

From October 4-5, 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Health Resources and Services Administration and the Organ Donation and Transplantation Alliance will host the 7th National Learning Congress.

Each year, as part of the event, NLC hosts a "Gallery of Hope," which spotlights artwork from donor families, transplant candidates and transplant recipients. To have your art displayed and considered for NLC7's signature artwork to be featured on posters, banners and other educational materials, submit your original entry by April 4th through the Gallery of Hope website.

This is an incredible opportunity to share your transplant experience through artwork and possibly be honored on a national stage.

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 - 2/29/12.

Also, if you haven't yet signed up for Lions Sight Week, May 6-12, please help us reach our goal of screening 2,000 preschoolers for the leading causes of blindness in one week. The week-long event celebrates the support of the Missouri Lions and honors your volunteerism in the community. For details, visit the Lions Sight Week page or contact the PR department at info@mlerf.org or 800-283-1982.