The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration

04/02/2026

Yesterday, we kicked off Donate Life Month by attending a Donate Life New York State press conference at the New York International Auto Show. New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder, Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, Donate Life New York State Executive Director Aisha M. Tator, Donate Life Volunteer Rosie and Mark Schienberg from the Greater New York Automotive Dealers Association shared the successful growth of the NYS Donate Life Registry and celebrated the cause of donation. To date, over 50% of eligible New Yorkers have chosen to restore sight and save lives by signing up to the New York State Donate Life Registry. Thank you to all who participated in this wonderful kick-off event!

04/01/2026

Happy National Donate Life Month! During National Donate Life Month in April, we honor the people who have given the gift of life through eye, organ and tissue donation. We also celebrate the lives that have been saved and healed because of a donor’s generosity.
This year’s theme ( Leave a Legacy) uses trees as a symbol of life and connection. Just like trees grow and support each other in a forest, donation connects people – donors, recipients, and their families. Like a tree that grows and stands for generations, a donor’s gift leaves a lasting legacy of hope and life.

03/31/2026

Planning for next semester? If you are a student enrolled in a 2 or 4-year degree program, don’t miss your chance to apply for one of The Eye-Bank's two $3,000 academic scholarships: the Young Ambassador Scholarship and the STEM Scholarship. The application deadline for both is May 15th. Learn more about application criteria on our website!

eyedonation.org/scholarship/

03/30/2026

On Saturday, over two thousand members of the local transplant community gathered at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan for the annual Remember & Rejoice ecumenical service organized by TRIO Manhattan Chapter to honor eye, organ and tissue donors and to celebrate the gifts they give to transplant recipients.

Cornea Transplant Recipient Allison Lauer was among the event's featured speakers. Allison shared how grateful she is that her eye donor restored her sight, brightened her life and enabled her to pursue her love of art. Special thanks to Allison and to all those who contributed to making this event such a moving testament to the impact of donation. A full recording of the service is available on Youtube

03/27/2026

In October, Patricia Dahl, Executive Director & CEO of The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration informed the Board of Directors of her plan to retire on April 15, 2026, after 45 years of service to the world’s first Eye-Bank founded in 1944. The Board has appointed Edwin H. Roberts, the organization’s current Associate Director, as the new Executive Director and CEO, effective April 16, 2026.

Read more about it in our full blog!

In October, Patricia Dahl, Executive Director & CEO of The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration informed the Board of Directors of her plan to retire on April 15, 2026, after 45 years of service to the world’s first Eye-Bank founded in 1944. The Board has appointed Edwin H. Roberts, MPPA, CEBT, the orga...

03/26/2026

Happy National Physicians Week! The Eye-Bank relies on the expertise and collaboration of physicians who help make eye donation possible. Sincerest thanks to all the doctors in our service area who support our sight-saving mission and provide excellent care to their patients.

03/25/2026

Reminder! Please join us for the 29th Annual Ecumenical Service honoring donor families and transplant recipients hosted by Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO) Manhattan Chapter. Cornea transplant recipient and Eye-Bank volunteer Allison Lauer will be among the featured speakers. The event will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 3:30pm at St. Patrick's Cathedral on 5th Avenue in New York City. All are welcome.

Questions? Contact info@ebsr.org or call 212-742-9000

03/24/2026

Planning for next semester? If you are a student enrolled in a 2 or 4-year degree program, don’t miss your chance to apply for one of The Eye-Bank's two $3,000 academic scholarships: the Young Ambassador Scholarship and the STEM Scholarship. The application deadline for both is May 15th. Learn more about application criteria on our website!

eyedonation.org/scholarship/

03/18/2026

It's time to start planning for your academic future! The Eye-Bank offers two $3,000 scholarships to help students with tuition, books, or anything they might need. The application deadline is May 15, 2026. Visit eyedonation.org/scholarship/ to learn more.

03/13/2026

This Women’s History Month, we continue our recognition of The Eye-Bank’s first Executive Director, Aida Breckinridge. A public relations expert, Mrs. Breckinridge recognized early on the power of the press to shape public understanding. She encouraged journalists to share the story through newspapers, magazines and radio, presenting corneal donation in clear, accessible and compassionate terms. Her outreach soon reached a national audience. Features in The New York Times Magazine and Reader’s Digest highlighted patients’ testimonials and explained corneal transplantation in plain language. The Reader’s Digest article was placed in every Eastern Airlines seat pocket, carrying the message of sight restoration to travelers across the country.

03/05/2026

Please join us for the 29th Annual Ecumenical Service honoring donor families and transplant recipients hosted by Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO) Manhattan Chapter. Cornea transplant recipient and Eye-Bank volunteer Allison Lauer will be among the featured speakers. The event will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 3:30pm at St. Patrick's Cathedral on 5th Avenue in New York City. All are welcome.

Questions? Contact info@ebsr.org or call 212-742-9000

03/02/2026

March is Women’s History Month, an opportunity to recognize the achievements, influence and enduring contributions of women in the United States and around the world. At The Eye-Bank, the occasion provides an opportunity to honor the women who have helped shape the field of eye banking and advance the mission of sight restoration.

Among them is the first Executive Director of The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration, Aida Breckinridge. In the 1940’s and 50’s, Mrs. Breckinridge led an extremely ambitious public education campaign to promote the world’s first eye bank and the cause of eye donation.
Mrs. Breckinridge’s impact was featured in this public service announcement from 1980. In it, another significant female historical figure, actress and singer Angela Lansbury, lent her voice and stature to one of the organization’s first televised campaigns. At a time when eye donation and corneal transplantation was still unfamiliar to many people, this PSA introduced viewers to the transformative potential of donated ocular tissue and provided education about The Eye-Bank’s unique history.