Something to Roar About! Did You Know Lions Are Helping To Cure Corneal Blindness in Wisconsin
Not real lions of course, but Lions Clubs International (LCI), and their more than 19,000 dedicated members serving at the 500 plus clubs here in Wisconsin.
LCI is one of the United States’ oldest and most respected service organizations. But did you know that curing blindness, supporting access to eye health care, and improving the quality of life of people experiencing vision-related challenges are all core aspects of the Lions mission? They are, and for that, The Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin is deeply thankful!
Since 1925, when famed visually impaired humanitarian Helen Keller challenged the organization to take up the cause of blindness by becoming “Knights of the Blind”, LCI has fiercely championed the preservation and restoration of vision and sight, and through its affiliated organizations, has created comprehensive programs and services that help improve the lives of people living with vision-related challenges.
Among all of LCI’s affiliated organizations and service projects, only Lions Eye Banks cure low vision and corneal blindness through eye and cornea donation and transplantation. There are more than 40 Lions Eye Banks worldwide, but only one in Wisconsin.
Lions Clubs and individual Lions members’ contributions to eye banking in Wisconsin go back to the 1960s. The Wisconsin Lions Foundation (WLF) became involved in eye banking by providing funding first for the eye bank at Marquette University in 1964. When an eye bank was created at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1969, the WLF also helped provide funding for this eye bank as well. In 2000, the two eye banks separated from their respective universities and merged to become The Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin.
Thanks to the ongoing commitment of Lions Clubs and individual Lions Club members, each year The Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin provides guidance and support to more than 1,000 corneal donors and their families, helps ensure that all Wisconsin residents who need it have access to the gift of sight through corneal transplants, and shares the gift of sight internationally with people living in more than 40 countries.
The generosity of Lions Clubs and their members provides about $400K in volunteer time and financial support to the eye bank. It makes a meaningful difference in the mission of curing low vision and corneal blindness.
We think that’s something to roar about!
Join the many Lions Clubs and individual Lions members who are part of the cure for low vision and corneal blindness by making a financial contribution today. The gift you make today means that someone will see tomorrow in a whole new light! Learn more or show your support at www.LEBW.org/give. On behalf of The Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin Board of Directors, its entire staff, and the many dedicated partners, volunteers, and colleagues who make our work possible, we thank you!
You can learn more about supporting the eye bank by visiting our website at: www.LEBW.org, or contacting Stefanie Dziedzic, Chief Development Officer at [email protected], or by phone at +1 (608) 416-1712.
Want to Volunteer in Support of the Cure for Low Vision and Corneal Blindness?
Sign up today to learn more, or contact Eden Brunson, Communications and Outreach Coordinator, at [email protected], or +1 877-233-2354 ext. 275.
LEBW “In Sight” Newsletter: Vol. 1, Article 4
