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Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin Receives Historic Bequest

MADISON, WI  – June 12, 2024 – The Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin (LEBW) is honored to announce a transformative bequest from Ms. Jane Dennis, marking the largest private contribution in its 55-year history. This gift, whose amount remains undisclosed, significantly bolsters the Global Vision Fund and ensures the gift of sight reaches those in need.

Ms. Dennis was born into a large family and lived most of her life in Janesville. A childhood accident left her partially blind, a fact not everyone knew about her. A very private person, Ms. Dennis didn’t speak much about her vision loss, but those closest to her knew the care she harbored for those with visual impairments.

Despite her disability, Ms. Dennis was a successful professional who worked for many years at the General Motors Corporation. Those closest to her remember her for her kindness and passion for equality, especially in healthcare.

Ms. Dennis’ gift to the Global Vision Fund will transform lives and is a powerful testament to her values. It will create a lasting legacy of which her family and friends can be proud.

“Ms. Dennis’s bequest underscores her compassion for those affected by visual impairments and her quiet commitment to making the world a better place,” said Stacey Troha, CEO of the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin. “Her contribution enables us to help people who, without the gift of sight, would remain in darkness, unable to engage with others fully, contribute fully to society, or experience the beauty of the world around them. We’re deeply grateful for her generosity.”

About Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin:

The Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin is part of the cure for low vision and corneal blindness. It is dedicated to serving Wisconsin residents by ensuring access to the end-of-life option of corneal donation, transforming corneal tissues into the gift of sight, and providing cures for use in transplantation, education, and research.

Our commitment to cornea donors compels us to ensure that every gift of sight selflessly given is utilized for its intended purpose: helping restore vision, hope, and independence to those in need.

Thanks to the generosity of Wisconsin residents, there is no waiting list to receive the gift of sight in our state. This bounty allows LEBW to share the gift of sight throughout the United States and worldwide, where, in many cases, donated cornea from the U.S. is the only hope for a transplant.

Jane Dennis is part of the cure for corneal blindness. You can be too! We invite the community to join us in honoring her remarkable gift. Together, we can foster her vision of ensuring access to the gift of sight and making the world a better place.

For more information about the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin and the Global Vision Fund, visit www.lebw.org.

Contact:
Stefanie C. Dziedzic, MS, CFRE
Chief Development Officer
The Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 416-1712
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lebw.org

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