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District 22D Sight Night

October 23, 2012

PID Gene Polgar Fellowship Brunch

November 2012

International Mission to Save Sight

The Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley was honored join other eye banks to contribute to a mission that helped bring the gift of sight overseas. Dr. Herbert J. Ingraham, Director of Ophthalmology at Geisinger Health System, spent part of his summer on a medical mission to Ecuador with Surgical Eye Expeditions International.

The purpose of the mission was to provide as many cornea transplants as possible to patients in the city of Guayaquil and also to educate Dr. Eddie Izeca so he can continue the work in Ecuador. 

The Lions Eye Bank provided five gratis corneas to the expedition believing it aligned with our mission statement of "commitment to enhancing a person's quality of life by restoring or improving vision through corneal transplantation, medical research and education." The Lions who founded our organization believed that volunteerism did not stop at the borders, and we honor their vision by contributing to humanitarian trips that changes lives around the world. 

Dr. Ingraham performs a cornea transplant with the help of the circulator Kelly and scrub technician Edinson. The team performed fifteen transplants during their stay in Ecuador.

Board Member Spotlight:Jim Minnich

PDG Jim Minnich

PDG Jim Minnich has been working with the Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley for 17 years and was the first person to hold the position of Chairman/CEO from 2000-2001 (in the past, the position had been called the President). Jim grew up in Wilmington, DE and attended Salesianum High School before studying at Kings College, Villanova University and the University of Delaware. He holds a Bachelors of Arts in History and a Masters of Arts in Guidance. Jim worked at the William Penn High School in New Castle, DE first as a Human Resources Specialist and then as a Guidance Counselor. He and his wife Lorraine have three children, Kate, Jennifer and Jamie and five grandchildren: Bill, Curtis, Evan, George and Mary.

A Lion for 41 years, Jim has attended 20 international conventions around the world, visiting Europe, Australia and Canada. He also sailed on four Lions Eye Bank cruises to Bermuda, New England, Alaska and Western Mediterranean and has a hard time choosing his favorite. He remains very involved in the planning of LEBDV cruises, believing they are a fun way to raise money for the eye bank.

When asked why he likes to work with the eye bank, Jim says "it's awesome knowing I play a small part. I am humbled to be a part of Helen Keller's legacy to preserve eyesight and I am extremely proud of the LEBDV mission statement." He is co-chairman of the Endowment Fund and is a seventh progressive fellow. Jim is also very involved in the pin trading to benefit the endowment. When lions donate their pins to the eye bank, these pins are sold at LCI trading pin club swaps and various district conventions and all of the proceeds go into the endowment fund. To date, the pin sales have contributed $12,113.50 to the endowment fund. 

If you have pins to donate, please contact Max or Kacey at 215-563-1679.

Gift of Sight Golf Classic: Thank you!

Thank you to those who came out to golf during the 18th Annual Gift of Sight Golf Tournament and everyone who supported the event with their donations and sponsorships. The day was a success and pictures and results will be published next month!