Bay Tissue Institute

17/02/2026

At Bay Tissue Institute, we witness something extraordinary every single day.

In moments of unimaginable loss, families make a choice rooted in courage and compassion. A choice that gives someone else the gift of sight, healing, and hope.

Behind every transplant is a story.
A mother seeing her child clearly again.
A grandfather returning to the hobbies he loves.
A young person getting a second chance at independence.

This is more than tissue donation.
It’s legacy. It’s humanity. It’s light passed from one life to another.

To every donor family - Thank you for your generosity.
To every recipient - may your world be brighter.

12/11/2025

Our BTI team: Ryan and Noreen at the NFDA Conference in Knysna.

10/11/2025

This year has been filled with incredible progress and we are proud to share our November 2025 Newsletter — a reflection of how far we’ve come and what’s ahead for Bay Tissue Institute.

As we approach the festive season, please note that BTI will be closed from the 19th of December until the 12th of January.
The last procurement for the year will take place on the 15th of December and tissue will be available again from the 12th of January 2026.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support our mission — we look forward to another amazing year ahead!

www.baytissue.co.za

30/09/2025

Exciting News for George!

We are proud to announce the opening of our new serum site in George, run by the wonderful Sr Alta.

A little about her:

She grew up in the Karoo and brings that warm, down-to-earth spirit into her work.

With 18 years of theatre experience at Mediclinic and 6 years as a phlebotomy nurse at Ampath, she has an incredible depth of medical knowledge.

Since July, she has been running her own clinic through the Local Choice Pharmacy in George.

Having personally undergone eye operations, she deeply understands the challenges of struggling with vision — bringing extra empathy and care to her patients.

Sr Alta is excited to embark on this new journey, and we are just as excited to have her on board.

📍 You can now visit her at our serum site in George, ready to assist with compassion, professionalism, and a genuine passion for patient care.

21/08/2025

🗣 Attention Johannesburg!📣

We are very excited to announce that Bay Tissue has launched a new autologous serum site at the Johannesburg Eye Hospital!

The incredible duo - Sr. Kim and Sr. Bella are ready and eager to serve.

Create a profile and book your appointment now on our website: www.baytissue.co.za

Alternatively email: joburgeyelaser@jhbeye.co.za for any booking enquiries.

08/08/2025

According to the World Health Organization, blindness of the cornea is the 4th leading cause of blindness globally (5.1%), and is one of the major causes of visual deficiency after cataract, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.

Trachoma is one of the main causes of corneal scarring and is responsible for blindness or visual impairment in nearly 2.0 million individuals. Ocular trauma and ulcerations also cause 1.5 to 2.0 million new cases every year. Onchocerciasis and leprosy are still significant causes of blindness, affecting approximately 250,000 individuals each. Traditional eye medicines have also been implicated as a major risk factor in the current epidemic of corneal ulceration and thus corneal blindness in developing countries.

Additionally, each year, more than 350,000 children are born with or develop infections at a young age, which cause corneal blindness.

(Source: Jeng & Ahmad, 2020)

The burden of corneal blindness on the individual and the wider community can be huge, particularly as it tends to affect people at a younger age that other blinding conditions such as cataract and glaucoma. It also disproportionately affects poor rural communities, because of the increased risk of eye injuries from contaminated objects such as plant material, limited access to treatment, and higher prevalence of communicable diseases.

(Source: Burton, 2009)

25/07/2025

One last gift and a lifetime of vision✨
Learn more: www.baytissue.co.za

26/06/2025

People with poor eyesight can still donate their corneas. Many conditions that affect a person's eyesight do not affect the cornea directly, meaning it can still be possible to donate!

27/05/2025

In the quiet shadow of loss, some families make a decision so profoundly selfless, it changes the course of another person’s life forever.

Choosing to donate a loved one’s corneas is an act of extraordinary kindness—an offering made not for recognition, but out of compassion. In the midst of grief, it is a gift of light.

For someone waiting for a cornea transplant, this gift means the chance to see—perhaps for the first time, or for the first time in a long while. It means witnessing the faces of loved ones, the sunrise, a page of a favorite book. It means independence, confidence, hope.

Cornea donation doesn’t just restore vision—it restores dignity, freedom, and joy. It’s a legacy that lives on through every blink, every tear, every gaze into the world.

To every family who’s ever said yes in that tender, impossible moment: thank you. You’ve given more than sight—you’ve given life a new perspective. 💛

24/04/2025

We’re proud to introduce one of the incredible humans behind the scenes at Bay Tissue Institute: Liezel van den Berg.

With a background in social services and youth work, Liezel has dedicated her career to supporting and empowering others. She currently works in the disability sector, focusing on visual impairment — a cause close to her heart, as she lives with a visual impairment herself.

This personal experience fuels her deep understanding of the life-changing impact of corneal transplants. As a Consent Counselor, Liezel gently guides families through some of life’s most tender moments, helping them make informed decisions about cornea donation. Every conversation she has carries the potential to restore sight — and hope.

“I’m honored to walk alongside families in this process,” she says. “It’s not just a job. It’s a privilege.”

Please join us in celebrating the incredible work she does to help give the gift of sight

18/04/2025

You're some-bunny special! Happy Easter!

17/04/2025