Eye Bank Association of America

Get Ready for Eye Donation Month: Earlier in July, Danny Rivers - one of the "faces" of upcoming 2024 Eye Donation Month in November, was set to compete in the Transplant Games in Birmingham Alabama. Danny is a bilateral cornea recipient and also donated a kidney to his father-in-law. Unfortunately, Danny suffered a knee injury during his training and was unable to compete. But, he still attended the Games as a supporter of his fellow donation recipients and living donors. Danny was interviewed about his experience at the Games and what it means to be a cornea recipient and living donor. Watch his interview, and be on the lookout for his Eye Donation Month video coming later this summer! Thanks to Advancing Sight Network for introducing us to Danny, and putting this interview on our radar! https://lnkd.in/erCtW9nM

Communication skills benefit everyone - regardless of position in your organization. Improve your written and spoken messaging with this webinar taking place on Wednesday, July 17. Register today!

Present your research at the 2024 Cornea and Eye Banking Forum in Chicago! EBAA and the Cornea Society are collecting abstract submissions, which are due this Monday, July 15! For details, see our website: https://lnkd.in/eg2QqKKT

As we approach the 4th of July holiday, we remind you that fireworks can be dangerous! We join with American Academy of Ophthalmology in reminding you to practice eye safety as you celebrate! Use these 5 tips to protect your vision this Independence Day! https://lnkd.in/eadYr5hK

Earlier in June, we hosted the 2024 EBAA Annual Meeting in Kansas City. If you were unable to attend, here is an overview of what you missed. We hope you can join us in #EBAA2025, June 25-28, in San Diego! https://lnkd.in/exukkXkx

Consider Hosting the 2025 MJO Fellow! The EBAA is looking for a member eye bank to serve as host for the EBAA Mary Jane O’Neill Fellowship in International Eye Banking for a one week period during June 2025. PROGRAM GOALS: To provide medical or technical personnel from the international community of eye banks with the skills necessary to develop, operate, and maintain a successful eye banking program. This fellowship is targeted toward eye bank staff in underserved areas, and provides intensive one-on-one instruction in the setting of a functioning EBAA-member eye bank. PROGRAM DESIGN: The Mary Jane O’Neill Fellow will “intern” in an active eye bank setting for one week, observing and participating in the various functions and activities which relate to a successful eye banking program, such as: administrative, public relations activities, technical procedures, medical chart review, DRAI, recovery, processing, preservation, and distribution. The host eye bank will work closely with EBAA to ensure realization of the goals of the program. For more information and application, see our website. Applications are due Friday, August 9th. https://lnkd.in/ecFwwgV3

One of the best parts of hosting #EBAA2024 is the opportunity to connect with partner organizations throughout the donation community. Thanks for being here and supporting sight restoration, David Fleming (Donate Life America), Ieesha Johnson (ASSOCIATION FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS IN TRANSPLANTATION), and Steve Miller (Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO)).

This morning during the General Session at #EBAA2024 we announced the theme for 2024 Eye Donation Month. Eye Donation Month is observed each November. Aligning with the lyrics to the iconic 1972 Johnny Nash song, “I Can See Clearly Now”, the theme emphasizes the LITERAL outcome of eye donation – the ability to see, and the FIGURATIVE outcome of what people experience or “see now” as a donor family, recipient, or champion of eye donation. Combining these elements; actual vision, the metaphorical ability to see a new perspective of life and the world, and a distinct memorable song as a backdrop – we celebrate Eye Donation Month and spread the word about the transformative power of corneal donation and transplantation. Learn more at EyeDonationMonth.org

Kansas City, we are HERE!! EBAA and some special guests look forward to hosting you for the 2024 EBAA Annual Meeting! Follow along on social media: #EBAA2024

PRIDE Month started on Saturday, and EBAA joins Donate Life America and other donation partners in celebrating the LGBTQI+ community - honoring their contributions, reflecting on their struggles, and re-committing to defending LGBTQI+ rights. EBAA has long advocated for change in policy regarding the restriction on cornea donation for men who have sex with men. Like the restrictions on organ and blood donation, the same should be lifted for corneal tissue. At the end of May, EBAA President and CEO was quoted in a KFF Health News article, which was subsequently picked up in other outlets like USA Today. In it he explains why the men who have sex with men restriction is both outdated and impractical. Read the full article and join us in supporting this change. https://lnkd.in/eY5N_FcD