The stories of thousands of people are the stories of Eversight’s impact: eye donors and their families, transplant recipients, surgeons, researchers, Lions and advocates. These impact stories are the people who inspire, give and work with us to advance our mission.
Bruce Katzn impact story
One sunny, humid day in Minneapolis, Dr. Theo Keith was playing in a golf tournament with his daughter and son-in-law. He usually plays a good game of golf, shooting in the mid 80s, but that afternoon he felt he wasn’t performing like usual. “I knew something wasn’t right,” Dr. Keith said. “I wasn’t striking the ball solidly, but I couldn’t figure out what was wrong.” 
Bruce Katzn impact story
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 became legally blind in one eye and struggled with his quality of life.
Franklin Warren impact story
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 keratoconusa condition that occurs when the cornea thins and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape.
Joy Trieglaff impact stories
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 at the end of her adventurous life, Joy gave the ultimate gift  herself.
Peter DeSarno impact stories
Today, Peter’s eyes can see clearly because of two strangers’ gifts. All he knows about them is that they came from two loving, caring and generous families who, in their darkest hour, displayed an incredible amount of love and compassion in providing him with the gift of sight.
Lee Elmore impact stories
When Lee Elmore failed her driver’s test and could no longer see street signs while navigating for her husband she knew it was time to make the paramount decision about eye surgery.
Connie Neese impact stories
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. Her transplant was the first step on the road to renewed independence.
Vanessa Rubin impact
Almost every aspect of Vanessa’s life was impacted when she had trouble with her vision, many things that she did every day. "It is in that moment when we lose our sight or have trouble with it, we realize how important and critical it is—what a gift it is.”
Together toward hope impact

When your child wants to be an organ and tissue donor to help other people, yet his body is riddled with cancer and the toxic chemicals used to treat that cancer, we thought no one will receive this gift so lovingly and hopefully offered.

Patrick Pruitt impact stories

Patrick Pruitt's sight was 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 academia.

Tribute to those who gave

This living online memorial honors those who changed lives by giving of themselves through eye, organ and tissue donation. Read their stories as shared by those who loved and remember them.

Gerry Bouey impact

Gerry Bouey wanted a job. As the third child of six in a blue-collar Detroit home, the 12-year-old figured he needed to find work, just like his older brother and sister had when they turned 12. There was one significant difference between Gerry and his siblings: he was legally blind.

Colton's impact

Colton’s accident, while scary, is actually not all that rare: According to the US Eye Injury Registry, eye injuries are second only to cataracts as the most common cause of visual impairment.

Duaa Babekr impact

Duaa Babekr was just 4 when she began experiencing vision problems. Realizing their daughter would have to struggle to do what came naturally to other kids was heartbreaking for her parents, but they tried to stay positive.

Lily Schlafauser impact

Born with congenital glaucoma, Lily Schlafauser has dealt with eye problems since birth. She underwent her first cornea transplant at just 15 months old. Inspired by their experience, she and her mother have become Eversight Ambassadors to spread the word about eye, organ and tissue donation.

Alicia LInde impact stories

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.

Connor Walsh legacy

Connor Walsh dreamt of a career in the criminal justice field. It was while working as an EMT that Connor felt the impact of saving someone’s life. Not long after signing up to be an eye, organ and tissue donor, he told his dad, “When I owe the future no more, it’s another way for me to pay it forward.”

Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital in Pakistan
As chief of medical services at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital in Pakistan, Dr. Wajid Ali Khan hears many stories. A son wants to donate a cornea so his father can see again. A mother doesn’t know how she will care for her children if she can’t see. A husband is the lone bread-winner of the family; his job is in jeopardy because of poor vision. The demand for corneal transplantation is staggering.
Barbara Van Dorn

One of Barbara Van Dorn’s two cornea transplants has a small, barely noticeable “S” stamp. The marker helps physicians position the ultrathin cornea during the surgical process. But for Barbara, the “S” means something else entirely.

Jan Phillips

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?” Thanks to eye donation and corneal transplantation, she traveled the world performing as a classical singer, dotes on her grandchildren and has campaigned for Eversight.

Surgeons from Pakistan, Palestine, Jordan

Surgeons from Pakistan, Palestine and Jordan are taking lessons learned at Eversight back to their home countries to help thousands of people who cannot afford the care they need.

Patrick Fort, PhD

“Every donation is important—every single one,” says Patrice Fort, PhD, neuroscientist and Eversight research partner. “Getting more people to understand the importance of research can give hope to those who are struggling with their vision and need our help.”

impact stories.