Michigan Eye-Bank Ambassador David Thornell credits his cornea transplants with allowing him to function in society after a blinding eye disease called Keratoconus robbed him of his eyesight.
David has been married for 18 years, runs, lifts weights and enjoys boating and reading. Without his first transplant, he doesn’t believe any of this would have been possible.
There was a downside, however; when David had his first transplant in Florida 23 years ago, regulations prevented him from being able to contact the donor family in any way. That bothered him.
The second time around, last October, was a different story. David, who moved to Michigan the year after his first transplant, was able to give a thank you letter to the Michigan Eye-Bank that could be passed on to his donor family, with their permission. When David heard the family had accepted his letter, he was thrilled.
“That was the best part of my second transplant,” he recalls.
Following his surgery, David wanted to give something back to the Eye-Bank. He proposed a “Wear Your Jeans to Work Day” at TRW Automotive Safety Systems, where he has worked as a computer aided designer for the past five years. His Jeans Day for the Michigan Eye-Bank, held on August 15, had employees paying $5 to wear jeans to work. The money raised – nearly $300 – was then donated to the Michigan Eye-Bank.
“David is a great example of a person who found a meaningful way in his own life to spread the gift of sight and support the Eye-Bank,” said Lisa Langley, Midwest Eye-Banks Community Engagement Manager.
More than money, what David wants to raise is awareness about eye, organ and tissue donation. He’s hopeful that events like TRW’s Wear Your Jeans to Work Day will help to raise donation awareness. “I know the people that I work with are more aware,” he said, following the event.
If your office has a charitable Jeans Day or Casual Day program, contact Fund Development Director Susan Bresler at (734) 780-2129 or sbresler@midwesteyebanks.org to discuss designating the Michigan Eye-Bank as a recipient.
