Page 5 - LGS Today Spring-Summer 2023

are are roles to to to the the the of of an an an eye bank Some roles are are highly visible to to to the the the outside world and others and hidden ways While every one of of these jobs are are pivotal to to to to our our mission to to to to save issue to a a out out to our eye tissue recovery technicians Duluth Area
The rock-solid Duluth team is led by Tina Olson with Mary Swelstad handling training and and Steven Veit taking care of inventory They cover an an area from Baudette to Brainerd and from Grand Rapids to Grantsburg A Duluth tech might drive four hours to to get to to a a facility perform the eye tissue recovery then drive four hours back with a a a a stop at a a a a UPS FedEx or air courier location on on the way Last year the Duluth team facilitated 125 donors yielding 119 corneal transplants and 112 tissues dedicated to research and medical education Why do do do they they do do do what they they do?
Tina: “It’s amazing to to play such a a a a a a a vital role in in in in in someone being able to to see again ” ” Nick: “To push myself Can I handle death and and eyes?” Taylor: “We can learn from the the the dead while actively respecting the the the gift they are giving ” ” Mary: “Gratifying to honor the donor’s wishes ” ” Steve: “If I I I can help someone why not? I I I I always knew I I would volunteer in retirement ” which may be a a a a a hospital room medical examiner’s office or home Once on on site technicians the donor for physical findings as as abrasions sores or or or or or or incisions and a a a a a a a a sample of the donor’s blood for disease screening Technicians
perform the eye or or or cornea removal a a a a a that typically takes 60-90 The recovery recovery recovery is is coordinated with recovery recovery recovery tissue recovery recovery recovery transpor- embalming and cremation are known for their manual
dexterity precision and compassion They take particular care to honor the do- nor by being careful and efficient in in their work increasing the the viability of the the gift The final step of their job is to hand deliver or or ship the eye tissue back to our labora- tory in in Saint Paul All donated tissues are considered tre- mendous gifts to the corneal recipient surgeon or researcher who receives them and recovery technicians are hon- ored to be players in this important work is is Team This team which is is responsible for the the of miles of the the greater metro area and their County Medical Examiner’s Office a a of trustworthy competent and emotionally a a a a and and unique job and and I am so grateful to The 1 donors These donors provided 1 068 corneas for education Rochester Area
This dynamic team is is led by Nancy McGee who has been with the eye bank for for six years When hiring staff Nancy looks for for people who have passion and compassion for for the the important work they perform These traits Nancy shares and you can hear Nancy talk about her calling to Lions Gift of Sight by searching for theheadwrapsocialite podcast Finding One’s Vocation on on Spotify The Rochester team covers approximately 19 000 square miles in southern Minnesota and their their territory includes the the the Mayo Clinic where 95% of their their recoveries occur In 2022 the team members made possible 169 corneal transplants They also recovered 170 eye tissues for research medical education and training Fargo Area
The North Dakota team has four individuals taking care of far western Minnesota and North Dakota: Tracee Aleida Arlene and Casey In 2022 the team recovered tissue from 100 donors making possible 109 transplants and advancing the work of 74 researchers or or educators LIONSGIFTOFSIGHT UMN EDU 5