Giving the Gift of Sight Across the U.S.
It is with great pride that the Heartland Lions Eye Banks have been able to provide the "gift of sight" to so many individuals in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois since its inception in 1960. Throughout the years, HLEB has grown to be a leading eye bank in the U.S., and has had the wonderful opportunity to provide corneal tissue not only to Missourians, but to persons around the country and the world.
Such is the case for Patsy Whitson, an HLEB cornea recipient living in Los Angeles, Ca. Patsy had been suffering from Fuch's dystrophy for many years. "I was warned that 'when I got old' I would begin to experience real vision problems," Patsy said. "Well, I did 'get old,' and I did have those problems."
Since her diagnosis with Fuch's in the 1960s, Patsy describes her experience as a slow-moving and gradual loss of vision. She kept ongoing records with her doctors to track her situation, and when her vision significantly deteriorated, Patsy began to explore the option of receiving a cornea transplant.
During a doctor's visit in 2001, Patsy said she just couldn't see any longer, and her doctor recommended she visit UCLA's Jules Eye Institute. Patsy and her doctor at the Eye Institute developed a plan to treat her right eye first, let the eye fully heal, and then treat her left eye. Patsy received her first cornea transplant in 2005.
Although the transplant surgery went fine, Patsy said the healing process was slow. It took over 18 months before Patsy's right eye had fully healed and her stitches were removed. By this time, it was 2007 and Patsy's doctor told her of a new procedure he was performing that had healing slated for only three to six months.
This new procedure being performed was the DSAEK procedure, for which HLEB has been preparing corneal tissue since January. At the end of May, HLEB sent the pre-cut corneal tissue to the Jules Eye Institute, where Patsy has her second cornea transplant on June 1. This time around Patsy's healing period was dramatically decreased, and her stitches were removed in September.
Even before her stitches were removed, Patsy could see the improvements in her vision. Whereas prior to her transplant, she needed a magnifying glass to read the newspaper, she now could read even without her magnifying glass or contact lenses. Being able to read without any aids was especially important to Patsy, as reading has always been her favorite pasttime for many years.
Patsy's mother also suffered from Fuch's Dystrophy, but was never able to receive a cornea transplant. Patsy said her mother had to forego her own hobby of reading during her last years due to her lack of vision. "I am a retired college teacher, and reading has always been an important part of my life," Patsy said. "I am blessed to be able to continue this activity."
HLEB Welcomes Lori Darr, Director of Donor Services
"Donation is a passion for me," said Lori Darr, HLEB's new 
Director of Donor Services. "Having seen the process from the donor side and the recipient side, I know that so many things have to happen behind the scene to make the miracle of donation happen." Having worked as a nurse, paramedic and organ procurement coordinator, Lori brings much experience to her position at HLEB.
Lori's role as Director of Donor Services for HLEB will focus on a variety of administrative and policy functions to facilitate hospital and donor services. Lori will be working closely with Tony Bavuso and Tina Livesay in examining all aspects of HLEB's services in order to provide better direction and support to HLEB staff members.
Since beginning her position in September, Lori has assumed oversight of the Donor Services Center (formerly the Call Center). Lori will also be heading up HLEB's hospital development efforts by providing additional strategic planning and direction for the program. "It is our goal for HLEB's hospital development efforts to strengthen relationships with all of our partnering agencies and demonstrate HLEB's committment to providing the best services for hospitals, donors and their families," Lori said.
MLERF Board Approves Donation Resolution
The Board of Directors of the Missouri 
Lions Eye Research Foundation recently approved a resolution promoting all forms of donation, including organ and tissue donation. This resolution "makes us more of a team player with our partnering organ procurement agencies while increasing corneal donation," said Lori Darr, Director of Donor Services.
Upcoming Events
October 26, 2007: The St. Louis MLERF office will be moving to a new office location and will also receive a new toll-free 800 phone number. To contact the St. Louis office, call or write to:
MLERF/HLEB
10801 Pear Tree Lane
Suite 170
St. Louis, MO 63074
1-800- 283-1982
Looking for more detailed information on our upcoming amblyopia and glaucoma screenings? Visit our screening calendar online.
The Virtual Ambassador is a publication of the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation.
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