The Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin has introduced a new aspect of its campaign for eye donation awareness. A billboard was erected on the West Beltline Highway in Madison depicting two children as seen by a person with 20/60 vision. This reminds us all of the impact vision impairment and blindness can have on an individual and their family. Over 2.4 million Americans and about 73,000 Wisconsin residents have vision impairment with sight of 20/40 or worse. More can be done to combat blindness but your help is needed. Everyone is encouraged to decide to become a eye, organ, and tissue donor. Show that intent by signing your Driver's License or a donor card and share that decision with your family, friends, and co-workers.

Last year, the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin provided eyes for 803 corneal transplants restoring sight in many people. Eye donation is meeting transplant needs in Wisconsin but the need continues and is increasing. Some
eye problems are correctable by corneal transplant - some are not. To change this situation, more research and efforts to combat blindness are needed. Eye donation is needed to provide important eye tissue to researchers
at the University of Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Projects investigating the cause, prevention, and treatment of diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy are dependent on evaluating eyes that are normal and impaired. Future treatments for blindness depend on your generosity for eye donation.
Donors and donor families are key to the improvement in the quality of life for many transplant recipients. The death of a loved one is often a tragic and painful situation. Nevertheless, your efforts at that time can
improve the life of someone else. The generosity of many donor families throughout Wisconsin provides an example for all of us to follow as we help our neighbors and friends. Over 75 years ago, Helen Keller made the
statement "there is no better way to thank God for your sight than to give a helping hand to those in the dark." This idea remains even more true today.

Blindness in the United States is expected to double in the next 30 years as the population ages and more vision problems become evident. What we do today can help prevent that problem. Together we can give the Gift of
Sight to many.

Note: The billboard is located on the north side of the West Beltline Highway and can be seen from the east-bound lanes between the Gammon Road and Whitney Way exits.  The billboard's location will rotate around the Madison area throughout the next year.

Mark E. Larson, B.S., C.E.B.T.
Executive Director, Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin
2302 International Lane, Suite 200
Madison WI 53704-3157

Phone 608-233-2354
Fax 608-233-2895