In 2025, The Eye-Bank expanded its efforts to raise awareness about the life-changing impact of eye donation and ocular research through a series of engaging special events that raised funds and encouraged the public to register as eye, organ and tissue donors.
Early in the year, The Eye-Bank piloted the 400 Faces of Sight Restoration, an ambitious public education initiative. Inspired by New York City’s 400th Anniversary, the project goal is to produce a large-scale photo mosaic featuring the portraits of 400 cornea transplant recipients whose sight was restored with donor tissue provided by The Eye-Bank.
We have expanded our testimonial video library with a thoughtful balance of donor family stories and cornea transplant recipient experiences—New Yorkers united by the life-changing gift of eye donation. Together, their voices tell a story of generosity, resilience and hope.
In 2025, The Eye-Bank hosted two successful benefits in both the Spring and the Fall, which raised over $200,000 to support the organization’s sight-saving programs. And The Eye-Bank’s Leadership Council, which added seven new members in 2025, hosted a summer happy hour at Manhattan’s Vintage Green Rooftop to raise funds and to familiarize mid-career professionals with our mission.
During November Eye Donation Month, we deepened our partnerships with hospital systems across the city to celebrate the medical professionals and healthcare administrators who help make eye donation possible. And we highlighted the critical role eye donation plays in advancing ocular research, which will improve treatments and potentially cure more blinding eye diseases in the future.
As we move into the year ahead, these stories, partnerships and memories serve as a powerful reminder of why we do this work. Together, we remain committed to one shared mission: giving the gift of sight to New Yorkers in need. You can support our mission today by clicking HERE to sign up on the New York State Donate Life Registry.