HLEB Cornea Recipient to Ride on Rose Bowl Float
After years of wearing gas-permeable (hard) contact lenses, Jan Barney’s corneas became irritated and scratched from 
dirt on the lenses. No glasses prescription would help the situation, and the scratches on his corneas would not heal.
Jan visited an ophthalmologist and learned that he had keratoconus- a condition where the corneas become cone-shaped rather than exhibiting a normal oval shape. As his doctor explained the condition, Jan learned that the condition would probably worsen to the point where complete blindness could occur. He was told at this point that he would be a candidate for a corneal transplant surgery.
Today, after receiving two corneal transplant surgeries- one in each eye- Jan’s vision has been completely restored. His second transplant in 2003 was possible with tissue provided by the Heartland Lions Eye Banks from a donor in Missouri. Because of the transplants, Jan has been able to continue his work as a manager at the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Jan will be forever grateful to the individuals and their families who made the donations possible.
This New Year’s Day, Jan will once again show his support for donation and display his thankfulness for his donors. Jan has been chosen as one of 24 riders on the Donate Life America Rose Bowl Parade float. He will be the first cornea transplant recipient ever to ride on the float in its five year history.
“I am extremely grateful that organ donor programs are getting the recognition they desrve for the positive impact their resources have on so many lives today, said Jan. “I highly recommend everyone to consider designating themselves as organ donors.”
For more information on Jan Barney and the other transplant reicipients and donor families who will be riding on the Donate Life Float on January 1, please visit their Web site at www.donatelifefloat.org.
Columbia Vision Lions Receive $1,800 from Smiles for Screening Program
The newest fundraising program at the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation has helped one Lions club raise $1,841 – just by passing on some information to their local schools!
This fall members of the Columbia Vision Lions club went to three local Columbia elementary schools and gave out information to school officials on the Smiles for Screening Program. The program partners MLERF with Van Gogh Photography, who extended an offer to give MLERF $2 for every Missouri student who gets their picture taken by Van Gogh. And for any Lions club who helps in setting up a new school for Van Gogh to photograph, MLERF is donating $1 per child to that Lions club.
Lion Jan Nelson of the Columbia Vision Lions said the process was very easy for their club. “We just made the contact at the school, left some information, and helped the school set up an appointment,” she said. “Van Gogh took care of it after that. It was a great fundraiser for us.”
If you have questions about the Smiles for Screening Program, or would like an informational packet sent to you, please contact Kristin Meier at kmeier@mlerf.org or 314-428-4373 ext 115.
Upcoming Events
January 2008 is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of the debilitating eye disease that afflicts over 3 million Americans. To schedule a screening in your area, go to the MLERF Web site.
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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