Donate
Home // Lions

Knights of the Blind – Curing Corneal Blindness

Together, Wisconsin Lions are restoring vision, honoring donors, and creating a global Legacy of Sight through the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin.

When Lions Serve, Sight is Restored

For more than a century, Wisconsin Lions have led the fight against blindness. Today, the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin (LEBW) continues that mission by doing something no other Lions program can do—curing corneal blindness.

Through the generosity of donors and the service and support of Lions volunteers, LEBW ensures that every Wisconsin resident who wishes to give the Gift of Sight through corneal tissue donation can do so—and that every patient who needs a corneal transplant has access to one—regardless of their geographic location.

This work is guided by a simple promise:

Powered by Lions. Driven to Serve. Committed to Curing Corneal Blindness.

Every transplant begins with Compassionate Care for the donor and their families and ends with the life-changing moment of restoring vision for someone who once lived in darkness.

 

The Knight of Sight and Gift of Sight Fellowship Awards

A gift of $1,000 or more qualifies you for the prestigious Knight of Sight Fellowship, and a gift of $500 qualifies you for the Gift of Sight Fellowship Award. These awards can be given to an individual, organization, club, or group. The award recipient will receive a LEBW branded award folder with a custom certificate. The recipient’s name will also be prominently displayed at the LEBW office on a new interactive digital donor wall.  

A club may accumulate giving toward a Knight of Sight or Gift of Sight award in any fiscal year. The award recipient may be chosen by a Lions Club, Zone, or District. For Lions Clubs members, a Knight of Sight patch and lapel pin is available to recipients. Awards may also be given to honor the memory and work of an individual.

On behalf of the CEO, Board of Directors, and LEBW Staff, we commend you for your dedication, service, and commitment to helping provide the gift of sight. Your fellowship enhances Lions Eye Banks of Wisconsin programs as we work to end curable blindness worldwide.

 

 

 

Knight of Sight Application

Gift of Sight Application

 

Lions Impact Snapshot

The Gift of Sight in Action

Each year, Wisconsin Lions help make these life-changing outcomes possible:

1,300+
 Wisconsin donor families served with dignity and Compassionate Care
800+
 Wisconsin residents receiving sight-restoring corneal transplants
200+
 Patients across the United States helped through LEBW tissue distribution
700+
 People in 42+ countries are receiving sight through international partnerships
2,100 Lions Volunteers
 Serving as Transporters in the Cornea Express, ensuring that donated tissue from across Wisconsin reaches our offices in Madison safely and with dignity.
A Global Cure for Corneal Blindness
Corneal blindness affects millions of people worldwide. In many parts of the world, patients wait years—or never receive—the transplant they need because corneal tissue is scarce.
The Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin is helping change that reality.
Through internationally recognized Clinical Excellence, LEBW partners with surgeons and transplant programs around the world to deliver the Gift of Sight to patients who would otherwise remain in darkness.
Every transplant restores more than vision.
It restores independence.
Opportunity.
And hope.
For Wisconsin Lions, it means your service reaches far beyond your hometown—touching lives across continents.
The Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin: Your Program
The Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin is a designated affiliate program of Multiple District 27 (MD-27) Wisconsin Lions.
This means the program exists because of Lions—and continues because of Lions.
Across Wisconsin:
• 300+ Lions Clubs support the mission
• Thousands of Lions volunteers serve donor families and transplant programs
• 1,500 Lions participate in the Transporter Program
The Transporter program, known lovingly as the Cornea Express is one of the most unique volunteer networks in Lions service. These volunteer couriers transport donated eye tissue from hospitals and recovery sites across Wisconsin to the LEBW laboratory in Madison.
Their dedication ensures that donated tissue reaches surgeons safely and quickly—so transplant surgery can restore sight.
Simply put:
The work we do today, means someone can see tomorrow.
Compassionate Care from Donor to Recipient
At the heart of the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin is a commitment to both Compassionate Care and Clinical Excellence.
Our team supports more than 1,300 Wisconsin donor families each year, guiding them through the donation process with dignity and gratitude.
Every donor creates the opportunity for someone else to see again. Every transplant continues a story of generosity and hope.
That is the true Legacy of Sight—a legacy Wisconsin Lions have proudly built for generations.

Become Part of the Cure

Wisconsin Lions are not just supporters of the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin. You are partners in a mission to prevent and cure blindness wherever it exists. Together, we can ensure this life-changing work continues for the next generation.

 

Make the Lions Eye Bank Part of Your Club’s Legacy

Include the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin as an annual budgeted club contribution and help ensure the Gift of Sight reaches patients in Wisconsin and around the world.

Include LEBW in Your Club Budget

Serve Where the Gift of Sight Begins!

Join fellow Lions who are making a difference through hands-on service.

Volunteer as a:

– Cornea Express Transporter
– Volunteer Advocate
– Administrative Angel
– Garden Angel

Become A Volunteer!

Carrying the Gift Forward

A tribute to donor hero Sam Timm

From Darkness to Sight: A Lion’s Story

Tim Hopping, Lion and Corneal Transplant Recipient

Bring a powerful story—and a meaningful mission—to your next meeting.

Our guest speakers offer engaging, inspiring presentations that highlight the impact of donation, transplantation, and community service across Wisconsin.

Click here to request a speaker and schedule a presentation for your Lions Club.