Page 8 - LGS Today Spring-Summer 2023
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 Recipient Spotlight: Maria
We would like to introduce you to corneal transplant recipient Maria. Maria has keratoconus, a degenerative eye condition that thins corneas, leaving them misshapen and scarred. Keratoconus causes light sensitivity and vision distortion, and, untreated, it leads to blindness.
Fortunately, for patients with keratoconus, corneal transplants can restore sight. Keratoconus requires penetrating keratoplasty, one of the more invasive types of corneal transplants, but the results are miraculous.
At 83 years young, Maria refuses to slow down. Retired after 30 years with the Department of Treasury and 14 years with the Department of Public Safety, she is still very active, and her friends and family refer to her as the go-to person. Throughout her life Maria has enjoyed sports (both playing and as a spectator), volunteering, hunting, roller skating and blading, bowling, golf, dancing, board games, singing in her church choir, sewing, and crafts, to name a few hobbies. Corneal transplants mean she doesn’t have to give up anything she doesn’t want to. And Maria loves and lives life to the fullest! “Although not blessed with children,” says Maria, “I love kids, and I have traveled a lot in the states with my nieces and nephews, visiting places of history. I am a grateful recipient.”
Maria shares this message with everyone, and especially with those in her own Hispanic community. “It is so important for you to sign up as donors-we need you all.”
   Check the Box
Maria has long been a friend of Lions Gift of Sight. When we were asked to put forward some recipients to participate in a donation registration campaign, Maria leapt to mind. Energetic, charismatic, kind, and helpful: we couldn’t pick a better individual to demonstrate the benefits of donation!
Since 2012, Minnesotans have had the option to contribute $2 to support education about eye, organ, and tissue donation when applying for or renewing a driver’s license, state ID card, or motor vehicle registration. These donations fund You and $2, a program that has now has raised over $1.2 million. One use of funds was for the “Check the Box” campaign Maria took part in.
“Check the Box” put Maria and many other faces of donation on Billboards, web ads, wallet cards, the sides of buses, and more. With tag lines like “I can see you! Check the box,” “Use your 20/20 vision
to check the box,” and “Check the box in the blink of any eye,” Maria compelled countless viewers to commit to donation. Thank you, Maria!
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