Nonprofit Spotlight: Altruvision - A Lions Eye Bank

BY COLIN HEFFINGER

The gift of sight is one of life’s most fascinating capabilities. In 1925, Hellen Keller requested a small team of Lions Clubs International Convention members to lead as “Knights of the Blind.” Starting out in 1957 as the Eye Foundation of Delaware Valley in a Philadelphia hotel’s boiler room, the single-person staff worked to build eye donors and expand the team.

Today, under a new name as AltruVision – A Lions Eye Bank, the nonprofit serves as the only eye bank in Delaware and has coordinated nearly 50,000 transplant surgeries since its humble beginnings.

Growing from two eye donations a year to roughly 1,500, AltruVision has dedicated its 66-year history to aid eye transplant success by applying advancements in medicine and technology, as well as enhancing public understanding of cornea transplantation. AltruVision’s expansion has been made possible through a community of cornea donors symbolizing the spirit of selfless giving.

“There is no substitute for human tissue,” explains Jim Quirk, president and CEO of AltruVision. “The transplantation process relies solely on the altruistic gift of cornea donation from one human to another.”

Cameron Whittle, a 13-year-old boy diagnosed with a progressive eye condition known as keratoconus, faced challenges with painful vision that impacted his schoolwork and extracurricular activities. He was able to receive a cornea transplant to restore his vision and dramatically improve quality of life. Just this past November, he celebrated the 10th anniversary of his transplant. “Being an eye, organ, and tissue donor is so important,” Cameron reflects. “My donor now lives on through me.”

Aside from the coordination of life-changing surgeries, AltruVision advances public education of corneal transplants and contributes to research and medical improvements in the field. Their Gratis Tissue Fund program helps all eligible recipients gain access to efficient and high-quality transplants without financial constraints. The nonprofit encourages its community members to register as donors to further increase the pool of available corneas for corneal transplants.

Donor families are honored greatly once a donation is made. On the six month anniversary of their loved one’s passing, donor families are given clay butterflies to represent growth, new beginnings, and transformation. Recipients are encouraged to thank the families through letters that line the gratitude wall of AltruVision offices. These testimonials highlight the invaluable impact donors have by providing the gift of sight.

“Restoring sight through cornea transplantation is only possible through altruistic acts of kindness,” reflects Quirk. “We’re honored to be the only eye bank in the First State, ensuring that those in need can regain their vision. As AltruVision continues to evolve and expand our impact on the growing number of people we serve, we remain committed to honoring these altruistic acts from donors and their loved ones as our guiding principle.”

Visit www.altruvision.org to volunteer for AltruVision or www.registerme.org to register as an organ donor. Submit contact information for updates on upcoming events and opportunities.