The Illinois Eye-Bank

The Illinois Eye-Bank is a division of Midwest Eye-Banks, a charitable,
not-for-profit organization dedicated to the restoration of sight. We recover, evaluate and distribute human eye tissue for transplantation.

As part of our mission, we support preliminary research into the causes and cures of blinding eye conditions. Through public and professional education programs, we encourage people to learn about eye, organ and tissue donation. We believe education is the key to making an informed decision about donation, and is also an important way for us to secure funding for the community services we provide.

We also provide humanitarian aid to those unable to afford transplantation procedures, both at home and abroad, by waiving our service fees when a charitable need exists.

The Illinois Eye-Bank is accredited by the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA).

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Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry update

With more than four million people on the Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry, Illinois boasts one of the largest Donor Registries in the nation.

Ambassadors for the Illinois Eye-Bank volunteer their time to tell members of their own communities about their own experiences with donation.

Two-time cornea recipient Don Rowley, for example, has addressed groups of students at Wheeling High School, in Wheeling. Meanwhile, Sheila Walters, a donor mother, has registered donors at her church in Champaign.

The Illinois Eye-Bank would like to thank Don, Sheila and all of its Ambassadors for their hard work.

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I Joined! program educates community about Donor Registry

Illinois Eye-Bank staff members have been visiting Lions Clubs and other community groups around the state with the intent of telling them about the Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry, and the importance of signing up as a donor.

These visits have been part of the Illinois Eye-Bank’s I Joined! program, a grass-roots campaign to get the word out about eye, organ and tissue donation. The presentation is designed to answer questions about donation and explain its importance. Presenters bring with them the necessary forms to join the Registry right there.

Eye-Bank staff members have already visited 21 Lions Clubs, and are scheduled to give presentations at another seven Clubs. Other community groups have signed up for presentations, too.

If you would like to set up an I Joined! presentation, contact Illinois Eye-Bank Community Engagement Coordinator Mary Schlereth at (312) 706-6771 or mschlereth@illinoiseyebank.org.

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Participants wanted for Walk for Sight

The Illinois Eye-Bank is looking for people to join Team Illinois Eye-Bank at the Annual Illinois Lions Walk for Sight.

The Night Walk will start at 4:30 p.m. on June 7, at the Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton. The three-mile walk begins at dusk and concludes with the light from thousands of torches, dispelling the darkness. The torches are a symbolic representation of how the funds raised at the event help bring the light of hope and services to the men, women and children of Illinois with sight and hearing impairments.

There is a $20 registration fee for the walk, which can be raised through sponsorship by friends and family. An Illinois Eye-Bank Night Walk T-shirt will be given to the first 25 participants who raise between $20 and $99. An Illinois Lions Walk for Sight T-shirt will be given to all those who raise more than $100. Funds raised will benefit the Illinois Eye-Bank and the Illinois Lions Foundation.

If you are interested in joining the Illinois Eye-Bank team, contact Illinois Eye-Bank Community Engagement Coordinator Mary Schlereth at (312) 706-6771 or mschlereth@illinoiseyebank.org by May 7.