VisionGift

02/14/2026

February 14th is , an observancance dedicated to spreading awareness and education about organ, eye and tissue donation. Today is a day to recognize those who have given the gift of life, sight, and mobility. For Donor Mom, Anne, it's a time to recognize the gifts of her son, Hayden.

https://youtu.be/Qir6PIE4XKc

Donate Life America Eye Bank Association of America

02/12/2026

"My donor was an everyday person, but because of this incredible gift, they've become my hero. And everyone has the power to do that." ~ Lindsey, cornea recipient

You have the power to one day save and restore sight and lives. Register today at: www.RegisterMe.org

02/09/2026

America’s First Black Ophthalmology Specialist: David K. McDonogh was once enslaved, denied equal education, and blocked from formal credentials, yet he still became a respected physician at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. The first African-American eye specialist, and an abolitionist alongside Frederick Douglass.

This February, VisionGift celebrates Black History Month, a time to honor the history, culture, and lasting impact of Black Americans in the United States.

We’re proud to celebrate alongside our partners at the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation (AMAT), and to recognize the vital contributions of Black donor families, recipients, and medical professionals in eye donation and transplantation.

To learn more about Dr. McDonogh: https://www.nyee.edu/about/history-mission/mcdonogh

02/05/2026

02/05/2026

We’re back with another “5 Questions: Guest Edition” - and this time, we’re joined by Aaron Pan, Director of Tissue Services at Solvita

Plus: we’re introducing our very first Hot Take. 🔥

Hit play to meet the passionate people behind donor family support, recovery, and transplantation. From one, to many.

02/02/2026

Last week, we had the honor of hosting Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici at VisionGift for a tour, lab-focused walkthrough, and a lively presentation and Q&A.

They got an inside look at how donor corneas are preserved in storage solution, how sterile grafts are prepared, and how our team advances ongoing ocular research - including viewing specimens under the microscope.

We wrapped up the tour by pausing at the Threads of Life Quilts to reconnect with our partner agencies, then moved into the conference room for a brief overview of donation and the collective impact of each partner organization. They even posed in some stunning eyewear. 😎

Grateful for their time, thoughtful questions, and continued support of work that honors donors and restores sight.

01/28/2026

The Power of Thank You: Writing to your Donor Family - www.visiongift.org/letter

As a full cornea and/or KeraNatural recipient, we encourage you to communicate with your donor’s family. Many recipients struggle with the decision to write as they may not know how to say “thank you” for such a precious gift. But donor families do appreciate, and often find comfort, in knowing that the transplant was successful and has made a difference in someone’s life.

01/26/2026

Through Their Eyes: Byron's Legacy: https://youtu.be/De6SZHo8DDk

Byron Ball was a beloved family man, a kind soul, and a gifted high school science teacher. Byron loved sharing his enthusiasm for the natural world with his students in the classroom and beyond: on field trips to the Oregon coast, Jewel Meadows, Sauvie Island, and central Oregon. Byron made the world of science a real hands-on experience, beyond just the pages of his students’ books.

When Byron was diagnosed with cancer, he and his family knew for several months that this was a battle he would not win. During this window of time, the family gathered, spent time together, put things in order, and also discuss the possibility of donation. While his family knew that Byron’s cancer would not allow him to be an organ donor, they did think he might still be able to donate his corneas. And so on the morning of Byron’s death, at home and surrounded by loved ones – his family called VisionGift and were able to honor Byron’s wishes.

Byron’s corneas provided the gift of sight to two recipients who can now enjoy the beauty of nature: birds and animals, the sun and stars and sky, green spaces, waterways, and—probably most importantly— the faces of their own loved ones.

“When somebody’s life is saved because they got a new heart or they got a new kidney - that’s amazing. But so is the gift of sight - that’s amazing! Ask somebody who is looking at the face of their newborn child, or ask somebody who’s seeing their first sunrise or fireworks - isn’t that amazing!” – Patrice Ball

Each person’s medical condition is evaluated at the time of death to determine if they are viable for donation. Few conditions prevent a person from becoming a cornea donor. Don't rule yourself out.

01/22/2026

For almost 50 years, VisionGift has been a global leader in eye banking and an active contributor to ophthalmic research. From donor screening to tissue recovery, processing, and provision for transplant and biomedical use, we’ve been at the forefront of innovations spanning cornea to retina.

To date, we’ve published over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts and continue to support gene therapy development through advanced cornea and retinal explant cultures.

Our vision is to make a lasting impact on patients with eye disease through collaboration and innovation. We’re excited to partner with others in advancing the science of sight restoration.

01/19/2026

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today on MLK Day, also a National Day of Service, we give thanks to all who are helping others, in all forms.

You can help save and heal lives by registering your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at RegisterMe.org

01/15/2026

From Donate Life America: I was about a year and a half old, I fell into my family's Christmas tree and one of the needles punctured my right eye, leaving a fragment. I had the needle surgically removed a few days later, but my eye did not heal the way they anticipated. My eye was inflamed and constantly infected, which majorly affected my vision — this lasted four years, and no one could seem to find a lasting treatment or solution for these chronic problems. My family and I travelled all over Minnesota seeking answers for my very unhealthy right eye that caused me so much pain in my early years of life. Finally, Dr. Elizabeth Davis at Minnesota Eye Consultants made the decision to place me on the corneal transplant list in July of 2007. On October 23rd, 2007, at the age of six, I underwent a corneal transplant. My life has been changed forever since my transplant. Not only was my sight restored and I was able to enjoy a now pain-free childhood, but my transplant provided me with a lifelong dream and mission of becoming an eye doctor as an attempt to give back the greatest gift that was given to me. Now, 18 years post-transplant, I am in my first year of optometry school, living out my dream – a dream that would never have been possible without my donor's generous gift of sight. I am grateful each and every day for my donor and the beauty of organ donation!" 💙💚 Thank you, Kailee, for sharing your story with us!

01/14/2026

Smoking is as bad for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body. If you smoke, you can develop serious eye conditions that can cause vision loss or blindness. Learn more: www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/vision-loss-blindness.html