The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration

August is National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month, an observance created by the National (Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation) Multicultural Action Group (NMAG) to save and improve lives in diverse communities by raising awareness and creating a positive culture of donation. We at The Eye-Bank are proud to serve the diverse population of New York City, Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley. The gift of sight allows us all to see the beauty in our vibrant community. Here are just a few of the thousands of local multiethnic cornea transplant recipients and eye donor family members whose lives have been touched by donation.

The Eye-Bank respectfully remembers and pays tribute to Claes H. Dohlman, MD, PhD, former Chief and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, who passed away on July 14, 2024 at the age of 101. Dr. Dohlman, known as the father of modern corneal science, received the highest accolades for research and innovative surgical treatments of corneal blindness throughout his career, including the 1986 R. Townley Paton Award, which is presented by the Eye Bank Association of America to ophthalmologists who exemplify the precepts of our founder R. Townley Paton, MD, the father of eye banking. Dr. Dohlman’s legendary expertise and inventive surgical techniques provided successful treatment for thousands of patients who might otherwise be blind.

We are excited to celebrate alongside our fellow New Yorkers! Many public events are kicking off this weekend to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and to reinforce the fundamental rights of freedom, justice and equality for all people. If you are looking for meaningful ways to celebrate, here are just a few ideas. Information about other festivals, concerts, programs, and exhibits can be found at https://juneteenthny.com/

This Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander ( ) Heritage Month we are proud to recognize an essential figure in The Eye-Bank's history: Wing Chu, M.D. In addition to being The Eye-Bank's Medical Director for 30 years and one of New York's top-ranking ophthalmologists and corneal surgeons, Dr. Chu was widely acclaimed throughout the field of eye banking for his expertise and dedication. He served as the Chair of The Eye Bank Association of America and worked to share best eye banking practices worldwide. He gave presentations on eye banking and the need for safety standards in China, the Dominican Republic, Italy, France, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates. During his time as The Eye-Bank's Medical Director, more than 36,000 New Yorkers received the gift of sight. When Dr. Chu passed away in 2012, he became an eye donor himself and gave the gift of sight to two people.

The Eye-Bank's Ocular Laboratory and annual Cornea Fellow Day are named in memory of Dr. Wing Chu for his many significant contributions to the profession.

The Spring Benefit is just two weeks away and tickets are selling fast! Join us as our DJ spins your favorite funky hits from the ‘70s while you strut on over to our gourmet stations, tasting the unique fare and creative cocktails from Madison Park Square’s renowned restaurant .

Then hustle on over to our silent auction and bid on an array of luxury items and experiences, such as tickets to hit Broadway shows, sports packages, wine tastings, designer jewelry, and more. Link in bio to purchase tickets.
Hope to see you there!

Looking for a way to fund your next semester? Apply to The Eye-Bank's scholarship opportunities for a $3,000 award! Check out our website for information on how to apply.
https://www.eyedonation.org/scholarship/

Last weekend, we were honored to participate in TRIO Manhattan's annual Remember & Rejoice ceremony at St. Patrick's Cathedral, which featured cornea transplant recipient and mother-of-three Kristy Meaney as a speaker. Kristy shared her story with the hundreds of donor family members, transplant recipients, and donation advocates who attended the event to honor the gifts of eye, organ and tissue donors. You can read more about Kristy's story and the event on The Eye-Bank's blog here! https://loom.ly/HeenG-M

Remember & Rejoice 2024 | Grateful Mother of Three Thanks Donor Families Grateful Mother of Three Thanks Donor Families

Happy National Donate Life Blue & Green Day! Today, all across the country, advocates for organ, eye and tissue donation are wearing blue and green to raise awareness about the importance of donor registration. As proud members of the donation community, our Eye-Bank staff dressed in great blue and green style! We encourage our fellow New Yorkers to enroll in the NYS Donate Life Registry to give the gift of sight... and life.

The upcoming solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8. If you are planning to watch it, make sure you take the necessary precautions to keep your eyes safe from the sun's damaging rays. Take a look at this guide from the American Academy of Ophthalmology: https://loom.ly/lWNfasM

How to Safely Watch the 2024 Solar Eclipse On April 8, 2024, the entire United States will see a partial eclipse of the sun. Parts of 15 states will experience a total solar eclipse. If you get a chance to see it, make sure to take care of you

With great pride, we salute the trailblazing women who have led The Eye-Bank since it was founded in 1944! Thanks to the vision and leadership of all of our Executive Directors, we have provided the gift of sight to more than 72,000 individuals in need.

This Women's History Month EBAA honors women in eye banking - those from the past, and those committed to the restoration of sight today.

A woman who can be credited for getting the administrative side of eye banking off the ground is Aida Breckinridge, the first Executive Director of The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration and an eye banking trailblazer.

Using her personal connections and public relations skills, Aida fundraised to start the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institue at Johns Hopkins University and later The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration, the first eye bank in the U.S.

She tackled the difficulties of securing and transporting donated corneas for transplant and gained publicity for eye donation by putting into use eye-donor pledge forms.

For more information about Aida and other women in eye banking, see our website:

https://restoresight.org/news/womens-history-month-at-ebaa/

February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration/Low Vision Month! In addition to restoring sight for our fellow New Yorkers who need corneal transplants, The Eye-Bank places donor eye tissue with researchers who help develop treatments and cures for diseases of the retina like AMD. Check out these slides to learn more about the eye conditions currently being researched with donor eye tissue. If you, or someone you know, would like an eye donation to be designated for research, please contact The Eye-Bank at 212-742-9000.

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy National Donor Day! To celebrate, we shared some love and heart-shaped treats with the Greenwich DMV District Office to show our appreciation for their important work. Over 84% of New York State's eye, organ and tissue donors sign up on the NYS Donate Life Registry in a DMV setting. Thank you to all DMV staff for their hard work and support as we work together to help others see again!

Today is the last day to ensure your 2023 tax benefit while giving the beautiful gift of sight. Don't miss this opportunity to get credit for the good you do.

Double your impact! Thanks to a generous gift from the Sherman-Parets Family, the first $5,000 given online will be matched.

Donate today at https://eyedonation.org/contribution

DoctorPodcast Host Dr. Robert Cykiert, ophthalmolgist and member of The Eye-Bank's Medical Advisory Board, features the work of The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration and how it serves our community by providing sight-saving cornea tissue for transplant. Exploring this topic is Dr. Himani Goyal, MD, Chair of The Eye-Bank's Medical Advisory Board, Maria Chelko, Communications Manager for The Eye-Bank and Eduardo Gonzalez, cornea transplant recipient and member of The Eye-Bank Leadership Council.

Cornea Transplantation Surgery Approximately 50,000 are done in the USA annually. Watch surgeons and patient cornea recipients representing the Eye Ba...

November is . The The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration is grateful for hospital staff like Nurse Educator Kareen Robertson, M.D. whose support and collaboration help New Yorkers see again. NYC Health + Hospitals and The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration encourage everyone to enroll as eye, organ, and tissue donors in the New York State Donate Life Registry. Sign up today at https://on.nyc.gov/2N1M0oz to become a donor and help give the ! Restore Sight Inc.

Tomorrow is , so why not give the gift of sight during Eye Donation Month in November! Together with The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration , we’re encouraging New Yorkers to sign up to help others like Kelvin to see again.

Sign up today to become a donor: https://eyedonation.org

Happy Thanksgiving from The Eye-Bank! Just like Raeya , who created this Thanksgiving artwork, all of The Eye-Bank's cornea transplant recipients are very grateful to their donors for giving them the beautiful gift of sight. Show your support for fellow New Yorkers during the holiday season by signing up on the New York State Donate Life Registry https://ow.ly/WX7u50QasAV

November is , and Dominique is a donor family member who is so proud her father gave the gift of sight to two New Yorkers. She encourages everyone to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry as eye, organ and tissue donors. EHS and The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration are thankful for the generosity of eye donors who give the gift of sight so others can have their sight restored. Sign up today to become a donor and help give the ! And click here to learn more about Dominique's father: https://bit.ly/47tj6Vw. Donate Life America

November is . The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration is grateful for hospital staff like Hospital Police Captain Angel Melendez whose support and collaboration help New Yorkers see again. NYC Health + Hospitals and encourage everyone to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry as eye, organ and tissue donors. Sign up today at https://on.nyc.gov/2N1M0oz to become a donor and help give the !

November is , a time to celebrate the beautiful gift of sight. One-year-old Austin’s sight was restored thanks to two successful cornea transplants with tissue provided by The Eye-Bank. Austin’s family encourages everyone to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry as eye, organ and tissue donors. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and The Eye-Bank are thankful for the generosity of eye donors whose gifts help others to see again. Sign up today to give the gift of sight. Donate Life New York State Eye Bank Association of America https://donatelife.ny.gov/ref/NYPEDM

November is , and Dominique is encouraging everyone to enroll in the 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 as eye, organ and tissue donors. SIUH and are thankful for the generosity of eye donors who give the gift of sight so others can have their sight restored. 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 at E̲y̲e̲D̲o̲n̲a̲t̲i̲o̲n̲.̲o̲r̲g̲

November is . The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration is grateful for hospital staff like Patient Care Associate Gifty Dennis whose support and collaboration help New Yorkers see again. NYC Health + Hospitals and The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration encourage everyone to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry as eye, organ and tissue donors. Sign up today at https://on.nyc.gov/2N1M0oz to become a donor and help give the ! Restore Sight Inc.

There's still time to purchase tickets for a night of bowling and raising funds for The Eye-Bank! Compete with your team for the grand prize, enter our 50-50 raffle for a chance at a cash prize, and enjoy lite bites and sips with the Leadership Council Members. Visit https://bit.ly/BowlingforSight for tickets.

Tickets: $75.00 (includes a tax-deductible contribution)

Wednesday, November 15
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Bowlero Chelsea Piers
60 Chelsea Piers (at 12th Avenue)