Page 14 - Donor and Family Recognition Program 2022

Lions Clubs International & Eye Banks
In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the service organization Lions Clubs International, challenging Lions to become “Knights of the Blind” (see page 18). Lions responded enthusiastically and made restoring vision and assisting the visually-impaired their primary mission.
Lions Gift of Sight
In 1960, Minnesota Lions partnered with the University of Minnesota to establish the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank (now Lions Gift of Sight). This historic event marked the creation of the first human tissue donation organization and only eye bank in Minnesota.
Since founding, thanks to the generosity of donors and family members, Lions Gift of Sight has provided more than 36,000 corneas for transplant and more than 38,000 eyes or corneas for research and medical education. The eye bank also distributes donated sclera (the white of the eye) for restorative eye surgeries. Every day, we strive to restore sight through eye donation. We are dedicated to our mission, knowledgeable about our profession, and expert in the services we provide.
Minnesota Lions
There are more than 1.4 million Lions clubs members around the globe serving together to better the world. Minnesota alone boasts 543 clubs! Lions clubs help their communities by improving parks, keeping roadsides clean, providing scholarships, honoring veterans, and so much more.
Our Minnesota Lions not only helped found Lions Gift of Sight, but also the Lions Children’s Eye Clinic, the Lions Macular Degeneration Center, and the Lions Eye Surgery Center.
Lions Eye Banks & the Barcelona Principles
Lions Gift of Sight was founded as an eye bank firmly rooted in the Lions’ tradition of service to the community and dedication to helping the sight-impaired. As a Lions eye bank, we must follow Lions Clubs International Eye Bank Program Guidelines, adhere to the Lions Code of
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