LEBW Donor Family Newsletter – April 2026
A Mother’s Unease, a Son’s Legacy, and the Gift of Sight
It was a routine trip to the DMV, the kind of mundane errand we all check off our lists without a second thought. But for Sandra Voie, that day stayed with her for a reason she didn’t expect.
When her son, Roy—known affectionately to everyone as “Caveman”— shared that he had checked the box to become a donor, Sandra felt a tightening in her chest. She wasn’t happy about it. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe in helping others; it was simply that Sandra is a mother. To acknowledge Roy as a donor was to acknowledge a world where Roy was no longer in it. Like any parent, she wanted to wrap her son in a blanket of protection. She didn’t want to think about the unthinkable.
But Roy, with the same quiet strength and big heart that earned him his nickname, knew what he wanted. He made his choice.
The Unexpected Turn
In May, the Voie family gathered for a celebration—a family wedding filled with the kind of laughter and dancing that stays in your bones. Roy was there, a “gentle giant” in the middle of the joy. No one could have known that just hours after the music faded, the unthinkable that Sandra had feared would become their reality.
Roy passed away unexpectedly, leaving a void the size of the Wisconsin sky.
In the depths of that initial, shattering shock, Sandra and her husband Kermit found themselves standing at a crossroads no parent should ever have to walk. But as they navigated the fog of grief, a memory surfaced: the DMV. The conversation. Roy’s firm decision to help others.
Because Roy had already said “yes,” Sandra and Kermit didn’t have to find the strength to decide for him. They only had to honor him. Sandra later described it as a blessing—a final gift of clarity from a son to his parents during their darkest hour.
Two Lives, Seen Anew
Today, Roy’s legacy isn’t just found in the stories told by his friends or the rink where he coached youth hockey. It is moving through the world in the eyes of two strangers.
Because of Roy’s corneal donation, a young girl in south-central Wisconsin is now looking at the world with wonder, her future brightened by a sight she might have lost. And a man in his 40s has had his independence restored.
For Sandra and Kermit, there is a profound, sacred comfort in knowing that while Roy’s journey here on earth has ended, he allowed two others to begin a new chapter.
Turning Grief into Advocacy
Inspired by the “Caveman’s” impact, the Voie family has stepped into the light as fierce advocates for the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin. They have turned their mourning into a movement, hosting events that celebrate Roy’s spirit while ensuring others receive the same care and support they have, and so that all who need it have access to the gift of sight.
From the laughter at the “Party in the Park” to the community spirit of “Chuck-a-Puck for Caveman,” the Voie’s have raised more than $3,000 to support corneal donation and transplantation. Their dedication has earned them the Lions Eye Bank’s deepest gratitude and recognition as Founders of Sight.
A Legacy That Lives On
Roy “Caveman” Voie was a man who lived authentically and loved deeply. His priceless gifts have changed the world for two families, and the generosity of Sandra and Kermit ensures that the gift of sight remains accessible for all of Wisconsin.
We often think of heroes as people from books or movies. But sometimes, a hero is just a son who checks a box at the DMV, and a family who finds the courage to share his light with the rest of us.
Join the Voie Family in making a difference.
Do you have a story to tell? Are you looking for a way to give back? We invite you to join our community of volunteers and advocates. Together, we can ensure no one walks this journey alone.
