VisionGift

Today is Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, as well as celebrating African-American culture.

Both Juneteenth and give us an opportunity for reflection on the ways in which we can come together to work towards a more positive and equitable future for all.

Learn More At: https://ow.ly/zsFU50SicJ9

: There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not filled with gratitude for having the opportunity to work at VG. From the inspirational donor families I get to meet, the amazing humans I get to call my co-workers, the brilliant surgeons and researchers who so happily share their knowledge with us, to the many recipients of the Gift of Sight! I’m truly thankful and humbled to be a tiny part of it all." ~ Corrina, Chief Strategy Officer

How can you say 'Thank You!" to your #1 Dad? How about registering your decision today to be an organ, eye and tissue donor today! 💙💚

💙💚 Today is officially , and so we wanted to honor all who have given the gift of life, sight, and mobility Thank you to all of the hospitals, funeral homes, DMVs, State Houses, families, and businesses who fly the flag to honor donors and donor families. 💙💚

This photo was from a flag raising ceremony this past at Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside with Hayden Rocks Kindness, raising the flag in honor of cornea donor, Hayden Carleton.

Donate Life America

Life In Color: Lynda Myers: https://bit.ly/LyndaM

"I am so thankful to my two donors who have given me restored vision and a new lease on life. I remember about two weeks after my first transplant walking into my kitchen and looking out the window into the woods. I was amazed. I could actually see the texture of the tree bark. I went out into the yard; the daffodils were up and the trees were starting to bloom. My vision was so clear, the colors everywhere were so brilliant it almost hurt to look at them. It was really overwhelming. And then it hit me: Someone who I would never know had given me the most unselfish and precious gift I would ever receive. I sat down on the front steps and cried."

Khoa Tran, Vice President of Research & Development at VisionGift, talks about the important role ocular research plays within our organization and the positive impact it can have both within the U.S. and worldwide.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/gfzCkDPVdf4

Happy ! Organ, eye, and tissue donors are more wonderful than anything that your local donut shop has to offer! But once you've registered, remember to have The Talk with your family to let them know that you want to be a lifesaver! 🥯

VisionGift's Matt Webber got to share the stage with Brenna Wheeler, M.S. (Eversight) and Maria Chelko (The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration) at today's panel session 'Social Media Strategies: Maximizing your Efforts to Make a Difference'.

Have you ever noticed the colorful flags during Pride Month each June? In the LGBTQIA+ community, flags are one symbol of pride. With many different identities in the community, there are many different flags to know. To learn about how these flags came to be, check out this page from the Human Rights Campaign: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags

Did you also know the Eye Bank Association of America has long advocated for change in policy regarding the restriction on cornea donation for men who have s*x with men. Like the restrictions on organ and blood donation, the same should be lifted for corneal tissue. At the end of May, EBAA President and CEO was quoted in a KFF Health News article, which was subsequently picked up in other outlets like USA Today. In it he explains why the men who have s*x with men restriction is both outdated and impractical. Link: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2024/05/27/fda-tissue-donation-gay-men-ban/73837429007/

Anyone who believes in donation is encouraged to as a donor.

It's hard to see the big reveal without good vision. Help restore sight to those in need by registering today as a cornea donor! You just might grant someone their wish one day.

Released on this day in 1988, Tom Hanks in "Big" 🎥

👀 We're hiring in Boston, MA! 📍

At VisionGift, we believe in the power of the gift of sight! We're all about making a real difference, and we're on the lookout for passionate individuals to join our life-changing team. 🙌

Why join VisonGift?

- Be part of a life-enhancing mission 🕊️
- Collaborate with a team of compassionate professionals 👩‍⚕️👨‍🔬
- Enjoy competitive benefits & supportive work environment 🎉
- Grow personally and professionally 🌱

👉 Apply today! https://bit.ly/VG_Hiring

If you are a donor family looking for connection and support, please know you can join this private Facebook group, hosted by Donate Life Northwest, where you can connect with other families and access resources - www.facebook.com/groups/DonorFamilyCommunityGroup

On this Memorial Day, we honor and offer our deepest gratitude to the brave service members who have given their lives while serving our country. We also keep in our thoughts and prayers those who have lost a loved one and thank them for their sacrifice.

Today we honor the life of Mark James Martinez Angeles, a young man who graduated at the top of his class with a degree in chemistry from Reed College. Just nine days after his graduation,

Mark left us too soon in a tragic accident. In the aftermath of that devastating event, Mark’s family chose to honor his legacy by donating his corneas, which allowed another person to gain the gift of sight.

Register today and talk with your family.



Original photo courtesy of Reed College.

Hello friends! We're here in Belfast, Ireland for The Royal College of Ophthalmologists annual meeting. Make sure to come visit the (booth 49) to learn all about for CAIRS.

In 'Isn't that Amazing' news: Researchers: ‘Smart’ contact lenses may one day enable wireless glaucoma detection.

Read about it at Ophthalmology Times: https://bit.ly/3K6jeRa

Where will you take your VisionGift glasses this summer?

Today's photo is from the Alvord Desert in SE Oregon. The Alvord Desert is a 12-by-7-mile dry lake bed and averages 7 inches of rain a year.

Registered organ, eye and tissue donors are the Top Guns to us! www.registerme.org/

Top Gun, released on May 16, 1986

When a loved one passes on, and they are a donor, a VisionGift tech will place a small ceramic heart around their wrist to indicate that this person has given a priceless, heartfelt gift. A letter will eventually go to the next of kin with another ceramic heart. This heart is a little bigger than the other and once held within it the smaller heart that was placed on the donor’s wrist at the time of the eye recovery. We know that the legacy of donation can bring comfort and healing to a family in grief, so we do everything we can to facilitate donation when it is possible. The memory of a lost one should always be cherished. We know the importance of giving the gift of sight.

From EyeSmart - American Academy of Ophthalmology: Approximately 37 million adults in America have age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma, all of which can cause visual impairment or blindness. However, recent studies show that making healthy choices and getting regular eye exams can help reduce a person’s risk of vision loss. In support of Healthy Vision Month in May, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is encouraging everyone to take charge of their eye health and preserve their sight.

We had a wonderful visit recently to our Portland office from Dr. Yu-Yen Chen. Dr. Chen used a number of corneas designated for training - set aside by our formidable research team. Dr. Chen solidified her new skills under the guidance of VG staff - Erin Lambert and Jennifer Burgett. Jen had to stay late on a Friday to ensure that Dr. Chen got every bit of training in before the long flight back to . Dr. Chen was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn new surgical skills and bring them back to Taiwan for the benefit of her patients. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our donors and the hard work of our entire team.

Good morning, Baltimore! Preclinical testing of cell and gene therapy agents is crucial for ensuring safety, efficacy, and understanding their mechanism of action before proceeding to human trials. Our culture systems, which utilize human ocular tissues, serve as valuable complements to data from animal and cell culture models. If you are attending , please visit VisionGift at Booth #2149 or attend Khoa’s presentation (Abstract #885) to discuss your experimental goals. Let us assist you in advancing your preclinical studies.

Come visit us at booth 2149, then head around the corner and visit Comprehensive Cell Solutions for a photo-op!

It's a sign! 👀 We're hiring in both Portland, OR and Boston, MA! 📍

At VisionGift, we believe in the power of the gift of sight! We're all about making a real difference, and we're on the lookout for passionate individuals to join our life-changing team. 🙌

Why join VisonGift?

- Be part of a life-enhancing mission 🕊️
- Collaborate with a team of compassionate professionals 👩‍⚕️👨‍🔬
- Enjoy competitive benefits and a supportive work environment 🎉
- Grow personally and professionally 🌱

👉 Click the link below to find your perfect role and apply today!

🔗 https://bit.ly/VG_Hiring

Headed to ? VisionGift and our collaborators will be presenting results from several research studies. Be sure to catch them al!!

✈️Headed to in ? ☔
We're looking forward to seeing you there!
Make sure to stop by our booth, #4509. 📍

According to the internet, today is Mr. Potato Head's birthday (born May 1, 1952). So, we're using this as an excuse to remind you to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor. 🥔👁️ www.RegisterMe.org

Sharing a lovely note we received from Trillium Vision Foundation:

"Our most recent surgical mission trip was a true success and would not have been possible without your partnership and generosity. With your support we were able to successfully perform 15 cornea transplants in one day at the Clínica Quesada in San Salvador, El Salvador and post-op follow ups on all patients the next day (all patients will continue to receive proper post-op care, supported by Clinica Quesada and Foundation)."

Spark of Sight - Illuminating the world together, one vision at a time.