Page 2 - Summer 2020 Newsletter

Lions Gift of Sight
TODAY
SUMMER 2020
Research and Innovation . . . . . . 3 Lions: Helping the Blind ....... 4 A Note to Surgeons. . . . ....... 4 HCME Best Practices . . ....... 5 Lions Gift of Sight Turns 60..... 5 Donation Statistics . . . . ....... 6 EBAA...................... 6 Employee Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . 7 Donor Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Eye Donation Champions . . . . . . 8
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Lions Gift of Sight TODAY is published twice a year by the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Lions Gift of Sight
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences
1000 Westgate Drive - Ste 260 Saint Paul, MN 55114
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LIONSGIFTOFSIGHT.UMN.EDU 1-866-887-4448
2 Lions Gift of Sight
Sean Poppoff, Executive Director
When we first started preparing this newsletter, I drafted a story about the road that led me to join Lions Gift of Sight as executive director. I shared that story because, although this was not where I expected to be, it is the place I want to be more than any other, and I am incredibly proud to be associated with this eye bank.
Now, however, focus has dramatically shifted in our world. COVID-19 is among us, and our donation partners are on the front line: hospitals, medical examiners, funeral directors, and aging services facilities, amongst others. The personnel that keep these vital services running are experiencing challenges and stress unlike anything I have seen in my lifetime. My admiration for these COVID-19 warriors is immense.
Our operations, like yours, have been interrupted. For two months, our efforts were focused on emergency needs and fighting COVID-19. Period. Because many surgeries had been deferred, the demand for eye tissue decreased, and we adjusted accordingly. We preserved supplies and personal protective equipment (masks, gowns, etc.) and temporarily suspended eye tissue recovery for research except when directly related to COVID-19 studies. Like you, we persevered. And I would like to say I have never been more proud of my staff, the Medical School, and the University that we are a part of.
Lions Gift of Sight has now returned to somewhat normal operations with staff, who are able, telecommuting. We are meeting the transplant needs of our corneal surgeons and their patients, and we have resumed the research operations so vital to our mission.
Healthcare facilities, medical examiners, and funeral homes are collaborative partners in eye donation. We especially appreciate the opportunity to recover on COVID-19 positive donors to advance the research we are conducting. Our studies of this virus and how it affects the cornea is vital to the safety of future corneal transplant recipients and could have great implications for eye donation. We are gratified to make any contributions we can to the knowledge and defeat of this pernicious disease.
Lions Gift of Sight is blessed to have such talented and dedicated partners as you helping to save and improve people’s lives. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Like you,
we persevere.