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.

Cornea Transplant Recipient Gives Back to Her Community

For years, Judy struggled with vision loss due to Fuchs' dystrophy, a degenerative disease of the cornea. As the condition progressed, she had difficulties reading a phone book or seeing the license plate on the car in front of her.

By the time her eyesight declined to 20/70, her surgeon encouraged her to proceed with a cornea transplant using donated tissue to save her vision, but she was still hesitant. However, after talking with a family friend whose son had been an organ donor, she began to reconsider...

OCTOBER 23

NOVEMBER 11

Life Savers Rally

10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Plaza Library
4801 Main Street
Kansas City, MO
Heartland Lions Eye Banks is proud to be a sponsor of Gift of Life's Life Savers Rally. This event empowers teens to assist Gift of Life in building awareness of the critical need for eye, organ and tissue donation among their peers.

Day of Remembrance Service

Time TBA
Botanical Gardens at Washington Park
1740 West Fayette Avenue
Springfield, IL
In recognition of National Donor Sabbath, the Eye Bank will join Gift of Hope, Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital for a special service to honor those who have given the gift of life.

Financial Donors Making a Difference

The Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation recently received two generous grants for our Children’s Vision Screening (CVS) program. The Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis awarded us $5,000 to expand CVS in St. Louis while The Mader Foundation’s award of $5,000 will be used for new screening equipment and materials in Kansas City. Through these grants, we will be able to serve more children than ever before and help preserve their precious vision.

In addition, five Lions organizations who made the largest financial contributions to the Foundation this past year were named Outstanding Contributors for 2011/2012 - Concord Village Lions, St. Louis Hampton Lions, Jefferson City Host Lions, Missouri Lions Multiple District 26, and the Past District Governors Association of M5. In addition, 30 clubs were recognized as Sight Savers for donating $2,000 or more last year.

Defining Children's Eye Diseases and Disorders

When the launched our CVS program, our focus was on detecting amblyopia, or "lazy eye," in children ages six months to six years. Yet, through the growth of the program and advances in cutting-edge screening technology, we now screen for a variety of eye disorders, any of which can affect a child’s sight.

Here is a quick overview of the conditions we regularly see in preschoolers...

Eye Bank to Open New Location in Hutchinson

In an effort to enhance our operations and best meet the needs of our organizational partners, the Eye Bank will consolidate our Hays and Wichita office operations by relocating to a new office in Hutchinson, Kan. this October. This centralized location will allow us serve the area more efficiently and will put us in closer proximity to our larger partner hospitals. It's our continued mission to offer the ultimate in service to everyone involved in the transplant process.

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 7/1/12 - 9/30/12.

Are you curious to know how the Foundation has served individuals in your own community? Check out our MLERF Impact Maps to see recipient information for your district.