PROGRAM RECIPIENTS

As a nonprofit with a mission to change lives by saving sight, our organization is committed to serving our program recipients. From honoring the gift of sight from donor families, to distributing corneal tissue for life-changing transplants for cornea recipients, to helping other individuals suffering from debilitating eye disease, every department at Saving Sight works with the goal in mind of serving these populations. To achieve this, we focus on excellence in eye banking operations and accountable stewardship. Though 2020 proved challenging in many ways and our operations had to adapt, our dedication to our mission and sight-restoration helped us serve a record number of individuals.

Restored Vision Takes Carol to New Heights

“One of my favorite things to do is swing on the 10-foot-tall swing in my backyard,” says Carol. “I go on it every day – It’s my relaxation and my mediation.”

After years of battling the progressive eye disease Fuchs Dystrophy, Carol realized she needed to have surgery and scheduled an appointment during the middle of the pandemic with Dr. Cavanaugh.

“Not only is he experienced and efficient with DSAEK corneal transplantation, but he was able to do simultaneous cataract and corneal procedures.”

After Carol’s corneal transplant surgery, Dr. Cavanaugh said she had a “super donor” explaining that at birth the cornea has 3,000 cells and at death it’s usually around 2,000. Her donor’s cornea had 2,900 cells – and Carol’s diseased cornea had virtually none.

“You can imagine because of that it was a miracle for me. Within 2 to 3 days of the surgery I was seeing better than I ever had and I was still healing. I was like a kid who just woke up from a black and white dream. Brighter, clearer and truer.”

Carol had her second cornea transplant in August. “I can never thank Dr. Cavanaugh or the donor enough for this second lease I have on life. This was a 100 percent uplifting experience for me during the worst pandemic of our lifetime.” Click here to read Carol’s full story.

During Eye Donation Month, Carol sent this message of gratitude to her donor, their family and the medical team that made her restored vision possible. Watch Carol’s story.