



Dear Friends and Mission Partners,
This year marked another chapter of growth and meaningful impact for Saving Sight. Together, we reached more individuals, both near and far, advanced our mission in new ways, and strengthened our ability to adapt to an ever-changing world. The stories, accomplishments, and statistics shared in this report highlight the dedication and innovation that defined our efforts over the past twelve months.
I am proud of the expanded reach of our mission. Our partnerships, like our grant funding program, have enabled us to continue supporting organizations such as the Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation, KidSight, Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Service, and the Missouri Lions Eyeglass Recycling Program, directly improving the lives of thousands across Missouri and beyond.
This year, we were honored to host the Eye Bank Association of America Annual Meeting in Kansas City. Saving Sight took center stage as the host eye bank with several speakers who shared valuable insights and personal stories, highlighting our mission to change lives by saving sight.
Through global partnerships, we were able to share the gift of sight with patients in need around the world. Closer to home, we celebrated the Champion of Sight Award recipients, whose dedication makes eye donation possible. Internal development programs like Emerging Leaders have empowered our team, fostering leadership potential and critical skills that strengthen our organization and mission.
These successes are only possible because of the commitment of our volunteers, donors, and mission partners like you. Your support enables us to adapt, innovate, and transform lives through the gift of sight.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to change lives by saving sight.
Tony Bavuso, CEO, Saving Sight
During Donate Life Month in April, donor families from across Missouri gathered with Saving Sight and donation agency partners to honor those who gave the gift of life and sight through donation in 2023. Hundreds of family members joined us at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City for a Celebration of Life remembrance program.
Before the ceremony, guests created bracelets in memory of their loved ones and to support the Donate Life message. After
refreshments, families came together to hear speakers express gratitude for the gift of donation. Theresa McClellan, the wife of a Saving Sight cornea donor, shared her experience supporting her husband Rick’s cornea donation after his passing and how his gift has brought her comfort.
Each donor family was then called to receive a certificate from Paula Nickelson, Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Following the ceremony,
families joined agency partners at the Governor’s Garden for a candlelight vigil honoring donors.
The day’s events provided a meaningful opportunity for donor families to connect, reflect, and honor the choice their loved ones made to help others.
Scott’s journey to restored sight began at the age of 19 on a farm in Kansas, where he noticed his left eye had swollen shut after unloading grain from storage bins. Initially treated for bacterial infections by Dr. Bruce Grene in Wichita, Kansas, Scott soon learned he had Acanthamoeba Keratitis—a rare and serious eye infection. After undergoing treatment, Scott received his first cornea transplant, restoring his sight. For the next 20 years, Scott saw 20/20 uncorrected in his left eye, thanks to the successful transplant.
As a college student-athlete on a tennis scholarship, clear vision was crucial for Scott.
“The experience of going from playing sports to facing the uncertainty of vision loss had been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride.” Yet, his transplant allowed him to continue thriving, even though his sight later required mild correction with glasses. Scott’s optometrists often remarked on the uniqueness of his case, appreciating the complexity of his condition. However, Scott’s journey took an unexpected turn in January 2023 when a car accident caused significant damage to his left eye, requiring an emergency cornea transplant. This time, Dr. Farhat and his team in Kansas City performed the surgery, which again restored Scott’s vision. Today, Scott is immensely grateful
to both Dr. Grene and Dr. Farhat for their expertise and dedication over the years, both of whom played critical roles in his sight saving journey.
“I have been the lucky one to have lost vision to both disease and trauma. I have also been fortunate enough to have had it restored via a transplant, and the prognosis is good that we will soon have it returned as I continue to heal from my second,” says Scott. Scott’s story highlights the impact of eye, organ, and tissue donation on saving lives and providing hope to individuals facing vision loss. As Scott’s journey continues, he remains an inspiring example of resilience.
The Eye Bank Association (EBAA) held its Annual hometown of Kansas bringing together advocates in eye banking the country. Saving stage as the host eye prominent speakers valuable insights and underscoring our lives by saving sight.
Kerry Gray, Cornea led an engaging
Vision: Saving Sight Shines at EBAA 2024
Association of America
Annual Meeting in our Kansas City, Missouri, professionals and banking from across Saving Sight took center eye bank with several speakers who shared and personal stories, mission to change sight.
Cornea Lab Supervisor, session on DMEK
2.0: Beyond the Basics, where she shared expertise in advanced DMEK tissue preparation and lab processes, contributing to the improvement of patient outcomes in corneal transplants.
Kerry’s presentation highlighted Saving Sight’s commitment to innovation and excellence in eye banking practices.
Saving Sight board member Amy Leslie inspired attendees with a session on Leading with Intention. She shared strategies for guiding teams and organizations with purpose and
empathy, a core value at Saving Sight. Amy’s insights resonated with many in the audience, especially those looking to foster intentionality and dedication within their teams.
One of the most impactful moments of the event was a connecting-to-purpose panel discussion hosted by Saving Sight CEO, Tony Bavuso. He was joined by Theresa McClellan, the wife of a donor who gave the gift of sight, and Scott Hagerty, a two-time cornea recipient. Together, they shared powerful stories
of loss, gratitude, and transformation. Theresa’s perspective as a donor family member, coupled with Scott’s journey as a two-time cornea recipient, reminded everyone of the profound impact of eye donation and transplantation.
This year’s EBAA meeting in Kansas City served as a testament to the incredible work happening at Saving Sight, and we’re proud to continue leading and inspiring within the eye banking community.
Chad’s Legacy: A Life of Giving
Chad’s infectious joy and personality left a mark on everyone he met. “He was a very happy person,” recalls his mother, Linda. “He loved to have fun, always joking and wrestling around.”
Tragically, Chad’s life was cut short in January 2017 due to a car accident. Through her grief, Linda found solace in honoring Chad’s memory through organ donation. “Chad would do anything he could to help somebody,” she shares. His decision to register as an eye, organ, and tissue donor has since impacted countless lives.
For Linda, Chad’s donation brought awareness and understanding.
“I signed my driver’s license every time, knowing it was the right thing to do,” she says. “But I didn’t fully comprehend the extent of donation until Chad’s passing.” Through Midwest Transplant Network, Linda learned about the ripple effect of donation, extending beyond organs to include tissues, bones, and corneas. “It’s been eye-opening to learn how donation can touch so many lives.”
In 2016, Chad shared one of his fondest memories with his mother: playing wiffleball with his kids. Inspired by this, Linda wanted to honor Chad in a meaningful way. “I didn’t want to
do a typical 5K because he didn’t run. I wanted it to be about him, so I came up with a wiffleball tournament.” What started as a small gathering has grown into an annual community event with 24 teams across eight fields.
As Linda navigates grief, she finds comfort in connecting with recipients of Chad’s gifts, reaffirming the impact of eye, organ, and tissue donation. “Chad gave 100% of what he could give,” Linda emphasizes. “His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, inspiring us all to embrace the gift of giving.”
Service to others has been a lifelong motto for Lyn Porterfield, a member of the St. Charles Lions Club and a past Lions district governor. After experiencing partial vision loss, Porterfield joined Lions Clubs International to give back to his community. His journey has led him to serve various organizations, including KidSight, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Saving Sight, and, most recently, the Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation. His dedication to saving sight has earned him widespread recognition throughout his community and among Missouri Lions.
In 2023, Saving Sight’s board of directors established the Lion Ambassador of the Year program to honor volunteers like Porterfield. Nominations were submitted by Missouri Lions leaders, recognizing club members who made a measurable impact in the service area during the year. The board’s award committee selected Porterfield from a pool of qualified candidates.
At the June 2024 Lions Leadership weekend, the board proudly presented Porterfield with the award, along with a $1,000 donation to his charity of choice, the Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation. Looking ahead, Saving Sight anticipates opening nominations for the 2024 Lion Ambassador of the Year in early 2025.
In August 2023, volunteers from Saving Sight teamed up with Donate Life America to host donor designation drives across eight Walgreens stores, creating opportunities for the community to become registered organ, eye, and tissue donors. This initiative, timed to coincide with National Multicultural Donor Awareness Month, aimed to address the critical shortage on the national transplant waiting list, where more than 100,000 people await lifesaving transplants—60% of whom come from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds.
Held on August 26, each event welcomed customers to learn more about donation and encouraged them to sign up for the national donor registry through RegisterMe. org. By fostering local awareness and engagement, the drives highlighted the urgent need for donor diversity, particularly within multicultural communities where health disparities often increase the demand for transplants.
Thanks to the dedication of the volunteers and support from Walgreens, the donor designation drive brought meaningful conversations about donation and its transformative impact on the community. It also underscored the lasting generosity of organ and tissue donors, who made it possible for a record-breaking 42,000 individuals to receive lifesaving organ transplants in 2022, half of whom represented minority groups.
Since its founding in 1960, Saving Sight has been dedicated to restoring vision through charitable programs, driven by a commitment to community needs and generosity. Our mission has evolved, yet our legacy of giving thrives through our partnerships. In 2021, we established a boarddesignated quasi-endowment fund to support grants for organizations aligned with our mission. We’re proud to highlight the impact of our grants for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, benefiting four remarkable organizations: Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation, KidSight, Show Me Lions
Eyeglass Recycling, and Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Service.
The Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation received $7,000 to acquire two Titmus V4 Vision Screeners, enhancing the accuracy of their screenings. They have already screened 239 individuals and have plans for 17 additional events, aiming to reach thousands more.
KidSight was awarded $43,000 for operational costs, allowing them to screen 39,943 children across 643 events and refer 3,674 for potential
vision issues. Notably, they identified at high risk for amblyopia. Their Zenni Optical and the Kansas City facilitated glasses for eight families vision exams for 238 students.
$5,000, which funded critical their facility, enhancing safety processing donated glasses.
Mid-South Lions Sight and also received $5,000, enabling
identified 897 children Their collaboration with City Free Eye Clinic families and mobile
Recycling received critical upgrades to and efficiency for Hearing Service enabling them to assist
49 Missouri residents with vision care, covering significant patient expenses.
Saving Sight’s board of directors allocated an additional $60,000 in funds for the upcoming fiscal year at their June 2024 meeting, reaffirming our commitment to support our mission partners. Through these grants, we continue to expand services and improve lives, celebrating our legacy of giving.
Eye Donation Authorization Rate
State Donor Designation Share MISSOURI
transplant recipients each day received the gift of sight!
Like other companies and nonprofit organizations, Saving Sight has a set of values that function as fundamental beliefs for how we get work done. Several years ago, we deliberately adopted a set of core values as our own. Instead of stating common aspirational values, our leadership team came together to identify what made our highest performers different. By naming what made our highest performers successful, we identified a set of deeply personalized core values in terms of the specific work we do at Saving Sight.
In 2024 we renewed our definitions of these values and their definitions and implemented additional ways to integrate them into our day-to-day operations.
the ability to see what needs to be done and act without being told when you are willing to say, “What’s next,” or “How can I help?” to address a challenge.
showing a genuine interest in learning more about something or understanding another person’s perspective, especially when encountering a work challenge or conflict.
the ability to bounce back and recharge after a tough day or tough case; the ability to take care of ourselves and be the best version of ourselves even when our work is difficult; the ability to be flexible in times of change.
At Saving Sight, demonstrating and discussing these values is an important part of our work culture. From hiring practices and day-one onboarding to ongoing employee recognition and career development work, our core values are operationalized into our daily work. It is common to see teammates remarking on another’s ability to show up with initiative, curiosity, and resilience.
The Emerging Leaders program at Saving Sight is designed to nurture leadership potential and develop critical skills across the organization. By fostering a leadership pipeline, the program empowers team members to tackle challenges, drive innovation, and make meaningful contributions to Saving Sight’s mission.
This comprehensive program blends knowledge with practical application, covering topics such as change management, strategic decisionmaking, communication, and team dynamics. Sessions are led by Saving Sight leaders who provide a supportive environment for participants to refine their leadership styles and deepen their understanding of organizational impact.
This year’s class of five Emerging Leaders took on a final project addressing culture gaps between remote and onsite teams. Their solutions included “Day in the Life” videos, satellite office highlights, on-demand access to allstaff meetings, and mission-focused storytelling to enhance connection across the organization. They also proposed initiatives like leadership rotations, standardized one-on-ones, interdepartmental shadowing, and team visits to strengthen relationships and role awareness.
The project emphasized the importance of shared experiences and leadership in fostering a unified culture. These thoughtful solutions demonstrate the Emerging Leaders’
commitment to strengthening Saving Sight’s workplace culture and mission.
As Saving Sight continues to grow, the Emerging Leaders program ensures the organization is equipped with skilled, innovative leaders ready to inspire and support the team in achieving its goals.
During Eye Donation Month in November 2023, Saving Sight honored four outstanding partners for their commitment to eye donation: University Hospital, Mosaic Life Care’s Organ and Tissue Committee, Hays Medical Center’s Donor Council, and Freeman Health System’s Donor Council. This month provided an ideal opportunity to highlight these teams’ dedication to restoring sight in our community and beyond. The Champion of Sight Award celebrates partners who show extraordinary commitment to making
eye donation possible. Champions of Sight embody compassion, resilience, and a true passion for their work. Their dedication to the eye donation process helps Saving Sight deliver exceptional care to donors, their families, and recipients of the gift of sight. Through advocacy and action, they champion the cause of eye donation within their professions, making a profound impact.
Congratulations to our 2023 Champion of Sight Awardees! Your commitment to our shared mission is truly changing lives by saving sight.
Physician Partner Impact
Each day, Saving Sight impacts an average of 10 lives by providing the gift of sight through transplant. Many individuals come together to accomplish this miracle. We work with teams of clinical and health professionals who have dedicated their careers to saving sight through transplantation. Among the most dedicated are our physician partners who perform corneal transplants.
In January, Saving Sight kicked off the 2025 calendar year by celebrating the lives our physician partners impacted in 2024. Our Business Development Manager visited physicians offices to say thanks and present them with a poster to commemorate the number of lives that physician changed by performing corneal transplants in partnership with Saving Sight in 2024. We are grateful for this crucial alliance in saving sight in the communities we serve!
Eye banks like Saving Sight rely on medical directors to ensure operations meet regulatory standards.
On July 1, 2024, Saving Sight welcomed Dr. Michelle Boyce and Dr. Chris Ketcherside to the team, joining Drs. Martin de la Presa and Gregg Berdy. These additions follow the retirement of longtime medical director Dr. Joseph Tauber.
SAVING SIGHT’S EXPANDED MEDICAL DIRECTOR TEAM
Dr. Michelle Boyce, Associate Medical Director, is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery, refractive surgery, and corneal eye disease at Moyes Eye Center in Kansas City. She brings a wealth of experience from her training at St. Louis University School of Medicine and her fellowship at the University of Iowa. She is excited about advancing Saving Sight’s reputation and is Saving Sight’s first female medical director.
Dr. Martin de la Presa, Associate Medical Director, has served as Associate Medical Director since 2022. As a surgeon at Grene Vision Group, his expertise lies in corneal, cataract, and glaucoma surgeries. He believes in the vital role physicians play in ensuring eye donations are fully utilized for patients in need.
Dr. Chris Ketcherside, Medical Director is a specialist in LASIK and corneal transplants at Kansas City Eye Clinic. Discussing the role of medical directors, Dr. Ketcherside says, “We bridge the clinic, the operating room, and the patients themselves. We bring current issues and potential needs to the eye banking community, helping us work together to anticipate and resolve challenges.”
Dr. Gregg Berdy, Medical Director, has been a leader at Saving Sight since he first joined the board of directors in 1992, later serving as co-medical director with Dr. Tauber. Reflecting on the impact of eye donation, Dr. Berdy remarked, “What you must remember is that each transplant originates from a person and family who chose to donate, which is at the heart of everything. Every case reminds me of how special that is.”
At Saving Sight, our mission to change lives by saving sight is supported by a group of passionate and dedicated Board Members. They play a crucial role in guiding our efforts and bringing different perspectives and expertise to our organization.
SAVING SIGHT’S NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Jonathan Smith, a community board member, has a background in public health and a passion for health equity. Having grown up in Detroit and moved to Kansas in 2013, Jonathan has been involved in federally qualified health centers, ensuring that underserved communities receive the care they need. Jonathan is eager to learn and collaborate with the board, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to help Saving Sight fulfill its mission.
CC Sherl Horton joins the board as the Missouri Lions Council Chair for a oneyear term. With a background in financial management, Sherl has served in various roles, including treasurer, secretary, and district governor within the Lions organization. Her extensive experience in these positions equips her with the skills and knowledge to contribute significantly to our board and our mission.
VCC Tina Anderson is joining our board for a one-year term as Missouri Lions Vice Council Chair. She brings a strong commitment to community service and a wealth of experience. Her dedication to improving the lives of those in need aligns with our mission at Saving Sight.
“I’ve always found joy in serving my community,” VCC Tina said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to work with Saving Sight. It allows me to contribute to a mission that’s close to my heart.”
PCC Ron Campbell returns to our board, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his previous terms (2017-2019) and his service on our honorary board. Representing Lions Multiple District M-4, PCC Ron is excited to start his first three-year term with renewed energy and dedication. His background in leadership within the Lions organization, including serving as the Missouri Lions Council Chair, uniquely positions him to contribute to our mission.
Saving Sight’s vision is to be the global partnership model for how eye banking and charitable vision services can most effectively serve people and communities. This standard has been the foundation of over 60 years of excellence in eye banking. Without the support and dedication of corneal surgeons like Dr. Miles Greenwald, we couldn’t change lives by saving sight.
Dr. Greenwald joined the University of Kansas Medical Center in September 2023, focusing on corneal surgeries and comprehensive eye care. Prior to his time at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Dr. Greenwald completed a Global Ophthalmology Fellowship at the University of Michigan, where he forged connections with
hospitals in developing countries like India, Rwanda, Honduras, and Kenya.
Earlier this year, Dr. Greenwald returned to Kenya on a mission trip to save sight and train future corneal surgeons. Coordinating with Kenyan ophthalmologists, he learned of patients awaiting corneal transplants and reached out to Saving Sight, “Saving Sight was incredibly supportive, asking how they could help logistically and how many tissues were needed,” Dr. Greenwald shared.
In one week, Dr. Greenwald and his team completed 12 corneal transplants using tissue provided by Saving Sight. “Partnering with Saving Sight made these surgeries possible, allowing us
to restore vision and give patients their lives back,” he said.
Looking ahead, Dr. Greenwald plans to travel to Honduras to teach ophthalmology fellows advanced surgical techniques. His goal is to empower young surgeons to perform these life-changing procedures independently.
Globally, 4 million people suffer from corneal blindness. “Each of those people has a life dramatically impacted by the lack of vision. Partnering with Saving Sight to restore sight and help them regain their lives is incredibly rewarding,” Dr. Greenwald concluded.
Advancements in expand the possibilities
A recent study in and Montefiore fourth-year medical examined how expanding affects corneal surgeon acceptance characteristics and age groups, the against older donors for transplantation. This single-site study from donors aged 2022. In early 2022, raised to 80, resulting and 208 more transplants. while corneas from slightly lower average rejection rate rose group. Age bias could rate, as older donors viable. However, the older donors remain
in ophthalmology continue to possibilities of corneal transplantation. collaboration with Saving Sight Einstein’s Dr. Roy Chuck and medical student Ayobami Adebayo, expanding eye bank donor age endothelial cell density and acceptance rates. By comparing donor and tissue acceptance between study aimed to address biases donors and improve tissue availability transplantation.
study analyzed 25,969 corneas aged 2 to 75 between 2018 and 2022, the donor age limit was resulting in 411 additional corneas transplants. The study found that from donors aged 76-80 had a average endothelial cell density, the rose from 38% to 48% in the older could explain the higher rejection donors are often considered less the data shows that corneas from remain suitable for transplantation.
While the U.S. does not face a shortage of corneas, there is a global need, with patients in some countries waiting months for transplants. Increasing the donor age pool could provide more viable tissue and offer sight-saving surgeries to those in underserved regions.
“If we can expand the age pool to increase and even get some more donations, that will increase transplants,” Adebayo said. “And I think there’s just a lot more room for growth in that area.”
As researchers continue to navigate the complexities of eye, organ, and tissue donation and transplantation, they remain committed to ensuring equitable access to sight-restoring treatments for all. By increasing the donor age limit, viable donor tissue for transplant will
increase, allowing those in underserved areas to receive the gift of sight. The journey to redefine how corneal donations are stewarded isn’t solely about science; it’s a moral duty with the chance to change lives by saving sight.