News & Stories

Iowa Lions Eye Bank encourages corneal transplant patients to write to the loved ones of those who donated the tissue used in their surgeries, to express their gratitude. Retired Attorney Karl Nelson wrote his donor that he was inspired to register as an eye, organ, and tissue donor himself, and actively support and advocate for Iowa Lions Eye Bank.

Although Doug Kahler had cancer, he was still eligible to be an eye donor, because unlike with tissue and organ donation, a cancer diagnosis does not often preclude the gift of sight.

Eye Donation Month is an annual observance raising awareness about cornea donation and transplantation, honoring the gift of sight given by selfless donors and their families, celebrating corneal transplant recipients, and educating about eye donation and encouraging individuals to register as donors.