November is Eye Donation Month, a national observance dedicated to raising awareness about the benefits of eye donation and corneal transplantation. It is a time to honor eye donors and their families, to celebrate the life-changing experiences of corneal transplant recipients, to promote advancements in ocular research and to encourage individuals to register as eye, organ and tissue donors.
Each year, The Eye-Bank partners with local hospitals and health systems to amplify this important observance through social media content, newsletters, events and gratitude rounds with mission-connected volunteers. Thank you to our area hospitals for their strong support and collaboration this Eye Donation Month! We are pleased to share a few of this year’s highlights below.
Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai Health System featured Eye-Bank Medical Advisory Board Member and Associate Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Timothy Blenkinsop, Ph.D., in a social media reel produced in partnership with The Eye-Bank. In it, Dr. Blenkinsop explains how eye donation plays a critical role in advancing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) research.
NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals featured Eye-Bank Medical Advisory Board Member and NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln Ophthalmologist Elizabeth Viriya, M.D. in a social media reel produced in partnership with The Eye-Bank. Dr. Viriya discussed how cornea transplantation not only restores sight but also relieves a patient’s pain.
NewYork–Presbyterian
NewYork-Presbyterian and The Eye-Bank collaborated on a social media carousel post showcasing 18-year-old cornea transplant recipient Andre, whose sight was restored with donor tissue provided by The Eye-Bank. The carousel featured pictures of Andre and his surgeon, Eye-Bank Medical Advisory Board Member and NewYork–Presbyterian Ophthalmologist Danielle Trief, M.D.
Episcopal Health Services
Episcopal Health Services hosted Eye Donation Month unit-to-unit rounds with the staff who support the eye donation process. Eye-Bank Hospital and Community Liaison Supervisor Amanda Vesey-Askey and cornea transplant recipient Karen, a former ICU nurse, conducted the rounds accompanied by hospital leadership. Karen shared how her restored sight has allowed her to see her five grandchildren, travel the world, and to continue to drive and live independently.
The Eye-Bank is grateful for its network of strong supporters and advocates. Hospital leadership, social media teams, administrators and clinicians all work together to help promote our mission. They help make eye donation, corneal transplantation, and ocular research advancements possible.
Click here to become an eye, organ and tissue donor.