Category Impact stories

The miraculous gift of sight makes life worth living again
Nov 16, 2023
Bruce Katz always thought losing his hearing would be the worst sense to lose. He’s a musician – he sings, he plays the piano and the flute, so the idea of losing his hearing was the worst thing he imagined could happen to him.   That is, until his vision declined so rapidly that he... read more
Bruce Katz always thought losing his hearing would be the worst sense to lose. He’s a... read more
Eversight-backed medical mission brings hope, healing to Honduras
Oct 26, 2023
In June 2023, Eversight, along with ACE Global, supported a medical mission to Honduras led by corneal surgeon Miles Greenwald, MD, of University of Kansas Medical Center in Prairie Village, Kan.  Eversight provided Dr. Greenwald with donor corneas, four of which were for penetrating... read more
In June 2023, Eversight, along with ACE Global, supported a medical mission to Honduras led by... read more
Eversight-backed medical mission restores sight to six people in Kenya
Jun 14, 2023
In January 2023, Eversight provided donor corneas for a medical mission to Kisii, Kenya led by Eversight surgeon Michael Seward, MD, of Great Lakes Eye Care in St. Joseph, Mich.  Eversight provided the medical mission with tissues for patients at Kisii Eye Hospital in Kisii, Kenya, the... read more
In January 2023, Eversight provided donor corneas for a medical mission to Kisii, Kenya led by... read more
A birthday celebration that gives the gift of sight
Jun 9, 2023
In 2005, Franklin Warren was watching a basketball game with a few of his friends when he noticed he couldn’t read the score of the game on his TV. Shortly after that, Franklin went to his optometrist who diagnosed him with keratoconus, a condition that occurs when the cornea thins and... read more
In 2005, Franklin Warren was watching a basketball game with a few of his friends when he... read more
A decision that travels the world
Apr 19, 2023
Editor’s note: Eversight asked why people chose to join the donor registry, and this is one registered donor’s story. You can tell us why you joined, too, or consider joining the registry if you haven’t.  Bose Wright and her sister, AJ, joined the donor registry the moment they... read more
Editor’s note: Eversight asked why people chose to join the donor registry, and this is one... read more
Purpose through generosity
Apr 19, 2023
Editor’s note: Eversight asked why people chose to join the donor registry, and this is one registered donor’s story. You can tell us why you joined, too, or consider joining the registry if you haven’t.  Larry Alman was born blind due to congenital cataracts and had multiple cataract... read more
Editor’s note: Eversight asked why people chose to join the donor registry, and this is one... read more
‘The giver’
Apr 6, 2023
All her life, Joy Trieglaff was a giver. She sang in her church choir in Wheaton, Ill., volunteered at a Chicago-based adaptive sailing program for people with disabilities, traveled to Belize to help an organization with its accessibility needs, built and repaired homes with her husband, Mark, and... read more
All her life, Joy Trieglaff was a giver. She sang in her church choir in Wheaton, Ill., volunteered... read more
‘Heroes don’t always wear capes’
Jan 11, 2023
At age 17, when Peter DeSarno was playing baseball his junior year of high school, he started noticing he was having some difficulty seeing the ball. It quickly became apparent that he was experiencing serious, rapid decline in his vision. After many trips to various eye specialists in New... read more
At age 17, when Peter DeSarno was playing baseball his junior year of high school, he started... read more
Eversight-backed medical mission restores sight to eight people in Rwanda
Jan 9, 2023
In October 2022, Eversight, along with SEE International and Focus, supported a medical mission to Kigali, Rwanda with one of Eversight’s surgeons, Matthew Thompson, MD, of Tower Clock Eye Center in Green Bay, Wisc.   Eversight provided Dr. Thompson with eight tissues for this medical... read more
In October 2022, Eversight, along with SEE International and Focus, supported a medical mission... read more
‘The yellow finch’
Nov 30, 2022
When Lee Elmore failed her driver’s test and could no longer see street signs while navigating for her husband, Larry, she knew it was time to make the paramount decision about eye surgery. Larry could also tell that Lee’s vision was gradually getting worse at a more rapid... read more
When Lee Elmore failed her driver’s test and could no longer see street signs while... read more
‘My transplant changed my life’
Nov 22, 2021
Connie Neese is not one to shy away from a challenge, but when she learned she would need a cornea transplant, Connie was understandably hesitant.  The Jackson Eye Openers Lion suffers from a genetic condition called Fuchs’ dystrophy, which can lead to visual impairment and eye... read more
Connie Neese is not one to shy away from a challenge, but when she learned she... read more
‘What a gift it is’
Oct 27, 2021
Vanessa Rubin’s sight was restored with two cornea transplants. In the time of COVID-19, where so many things have been taken away from people, Vanessa is extremely grateful to have received the gift of sight that has improved her life greatly. “I don’t think any of us take eyesight... read more
Vanessa Rubin’s sight was restored with two cornea transplants. In the time of COVID-19,... read more
One child’s heroic battle with cancer leads to immeasurable good
Nov 18, 2020
Patti Gustafson and her husband Allen lead the Swifty Foundation, established with their late son, Michael, to raise research funds and awareness for the pediatric brain cancer he battled before his death at age 15. Patti recently spoke to our Eversight staff and at our Illinois gathering of... read more
Patti Gustafson and her husband Allen lead the Swifty Foundation, established with their late... read more
A gift too monumental for words
May 27, 2020
Patrick Pruitt had his sight restored with a cornea transplant when he was just 6 years old. Today, Patrick is celebrating 30 years with the same cornea. In that time, he has shared his story with countless others, served on the Eversight Michigan Advisory Board and pursued a challenging career in... read more
Patrick Pruitt had his sight restored with a cornea transplant when he was just 6 years... read more
My life and the lives of my family are forever changed.
Oct 21, 2019
Ten years ago, I was given the gift of sight. This gift has allowed me to see and share in weddings, graduations, birthdays and the birth of my grandchildren. It allows me to reach out and volunteer. It allows me to share ice cream cones with sprinkles late at night with my college-age... read more
Ten years ago, I was given the gift of sight. This gift has allowed me to see and share in... read more
Cornea transplants offer young recipient a chance for an enriched life
Oct 31, 2018
Duaa Babekr was just 4 years old when she began experiencing vision problems. Realizing their daughter—the second oldest of their five children—would have to struggle to do things that came naturally to other kids was heartbreaking for her parents, but they tried to stay positive. “It... read more
Duaa Babekr was just 4 years old when she began experiencing vision problems. Realizing their... read more
Oct 31, 2018
Born with congenital glaucoma, Lily Schlafauser has dealt with eye problems since birth. She underwent her first cornea transplant at just 15 months old, and has had three more since. "Constant doctors visits, surgeries and eye drops have become a normal part of her life," said Lily's mother,... read more
Born with congenital glaucoma, Lily Schlafauser has dealt with eye problems since birth. She... read more
Oct 31, 2018
Alicia Linde was 16 years old when she was diagnosed with glaucoma. Suddenly, as a high school student, she was thrown into a world of eye tests, doctor visits and the prospect of losing her sight in just a matter of years. “It was very hard to feel normal at that age when you’re dealing... read more
Alicia Linde was 16 years old when she was diagnosed with glaucoma. Suddenly, as a high school... read more
Persistence personified
Sep 13, 2018
Gerry Bouey wanted a job. As the third child of six in a blue-collar Detroit home, the precocious 12-year-old figured he needed to find work, just like his older brother and sister had when they turned 12. But there was one significant difference between Gerry and his siblings. None of them... read more
Gerry Bouey wanted a job. As the third child of six in a blue-collar Detroit home, the... read more
Jan Phillips is giving back
Sep 13, 2018
When Jan Phillips lost her sight, she thought to herself, “What am I missing the most? What would I do if I could see again?” As a teenager, Jan was diagnosed with keratoconus, an eye disease in which the cornea bulges outward and distorts vision. If the disease progresses, vision loss... read more
When Jan Phillips lost her sight, she thought to herself, “What am I missing the most? What... read more
Colton’s story
Apr 24, 2018
In the middle of a hot Michigan summer, Colton Thompson and his brothers set off for the pond on the family’s property. Colton’s brother had saved up money for a shiny new fishing lure, and it was time to test it out. Along the water’s edge Colton knelt down to tie his shoe, just as... read more
In the middle of a hot Michigan summer, Colton Thompson and his brothers set off for the pond... read more
Seeing is believing
Mar 15, 2018
They came to the United States for training and left with the knowledge to transform lives through the gift of sight. Seven surgeons from three countries converged on Eversight for three separate, week-long crash courses on eye banking this winter, observing everything from Eversight... read more
They came to the United States for training and left with the knowledge to transform lives... read more
‘My own personal heroes’
Mar 15, 2018
One of Barbara Van Dorn’s two cornea transplants has a small, barely noticeable “S” stamp. The marker helps physicians position the ultra-thin cornea during the surgical process. But for Barbara, the “S” means something else entirely. “It should stand for Superman,” she... read more
One of Barbara Van Dorn’s two cornea transplants has a small, barely noticeable “S”... read more
A gift that keeps giving
Mar 13, 2018
Julie May thought no one would want her eyes. She was born with congenital cataracts and had one removed more than 25 years ago. So why join the Donor Registry? It’s not like she could donate anyway ... At least that’s what she assumed. But as a Lions District Governor in Michigan,... read more
Julie May thought no one would want her eyes. She was born with congenital cataracts and had... read more
Impacting sight around the world
Feb 6, 2018
Something keeps pulling Dr. Richard Gieser and Dr. John Garrett back. Dr. Gieser has worked in 19 countries, sometimes visiting multiple continents in the same year, and is a former recipient of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award. From Sudan and Egypt to... read more
Something keeps pulling Dr. Richard Gieser and Dr. John Garrett back. Dr. Gieser has worked in... read more
Inform. Inspire. Influence.
Feb 6, 2018
With a kind heart, fierce mind and brave spirit, Connor Walsh dreamed of a career in the criminal justice field. He loved helping others, whether it was at school and community outreach events, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout or working as an emergency medical technician (EMT) when he was 16... read more
With a kind heart, fierce mind and brave spirit, Connor Walsh dreamed of a career in the... read more
Hope & Healing
Sep 11, 2017
Emotional meeting between donor family and researcher drives home the importance of research donations It was the last picture they took together as a family. Moments away from a liver transplant, Tim Anegon was laying on a hospital bed surrounded by his wife Coleen and daughters Courtney and... read more
Emotional meeting between donor family and researcher drives home the importance of research... read more