INSIDE THIS ISSUE Thanking Katie The healing power of donation and transplantation

Advancing eye banking Five ways Eversight is changing the future of sight SPRING 2017 Board of Directors Peter Wroblewski Executive Director’s perspective Chair Randy J. Epstein, M.D. Since 1947, Eversight These innovations bring promise to Vice-Chair Illinois has worked many as we continue to explore new Years Platinum Frank Saporito alongside surgeons advancements in our quest to help anniversary Treasurer and researchers, everyone suffering from preventable Maureen Tuffy-Haga Eversight Illinois tirelessly pursuing blindness. In addition, throughout Secretary Diane Hollingsworth new treatments and our rich history we have never Eversight Illinois is proud to celebrate 70 years of restoring sight and preventing blindness in our community, Executive Director cures that may one forgotten those who make donation made possible by people like you who believe in our mission. Learn how our programs and contributors are David R. Donnersberger Jr., M.D., J.D. day eliminate preventable blindness. happen. We honor the donors and changing lives now and into the future. Immediate Past Board Chair donor families who generously make Irma V. Bates In this issue of Vision, we celebrate the gift of sight possible. Our cover David Bosch our platinum anniversary with a Featured contributors bring our mission to life Judy Comfort retrospective of the incredible story explores how the lives of two Marcia helps those in need Eileen supports the community Carol C. Hogan advancements made in sight restoration strangers became connected through Edward J. Hunter As a huge fan of The Beatles growing up, Eileen has been an Eversight Illinois at Eversight Illinois. You’ll also read a selfless decision to help someone Peter J. Latz else in need. it was an unforgettable moment for supporter and event attendee for more Karen Magers, R.N. about today’s exciting, innovative Marcia to see Paul McCartney perform in than a decade. Her relationship with the Elizabeth Morgan technologies and medical practices Seventy years ago, we accepted the 2011. It was one of the best days of her organization blossomed when she became Jerry Ringer, M.D. that are transforming the future of responsibility to provide the gift of life, but her high spirits were quickly co-chair of our Gift of Sight Gala three dashed when the very next day she woke years ago. Eileen infused the event with Jonathan Rubenstein, M.D. transplantation and vision care—from sight to as many individuals as up unable to see out of one eye because creativity and style, elevating the gala’s Medical Directors 3-D microscope imaging to tiny devices possible, and we will not stop until of post-cataract surgery complications. distinction and success. Outside of Marcia Dillon, a Eileen Howard-Weinberg, Joel Sugar, M.D., Chicago allowing tissue to be delivered safely all people have the chance to have recipient, wants everyone Marcia was suddenly legally blind, but pictured with husband the event, she is passionate about the Elmer Tu, M.D., Chicago in even the most extreme climates a life full of sight. to have a second chance she received a sight-restoring cornea Marshall, is essential organization’s contributions to ocular for sight. transplant thanks to a selfless donor. to the success of the research initiatives. “I was recruited to Catherine Crockett, M.D., Bloomington around the world. biggest Eversight Illinois Gregory Halperin, M.D., Bloomington Today, she’s an avid Eversight Illinois fundraiser every year. support the gala and saw firsthand the supporter because she knows how amazing work of the eye bank,” Eileen Professional & Community devastating it is for someone to lose their said. “I was so impressed that I decided Diane Hollingsworth Relations Team sight. “I knew the rest of the world to make a bequest to Eversight Illinois.” Eversight Illinois Executive Director needed this type of help,” Marcia said. David Hearn Community & Professional Relations Liaison Our programs Kara Kelly Professional Relations Manager Gift of Sight Gift of Innovation Mary Peete Provides charitable services to help patients with limited Improves patient outcomes by integrating state-of-the-art Professional Relations Liaison income or insurance coverage receive a transplant technology and laboratory equipment Brittany Wright Gift of Hope Gift of Knowledge Community Relations Liaison INSIDE VISION Supports critical research into the treatment and prevention Educates communities and professionals about the Looking through time of blinding eye diseases importance of eye, organ and tissue donation 4 Seventy years of innovation and restoring sight

Cover Story: Thanking Katie 6 Donor mom and recipient connect through the healing power Supporting Eversight Illinois is easy with our many giving options of donation and transplantation Contact Us Charitable contributions are tax-deductible and can be made in honor or memory of someone special in your life. Learn more about charitable giving Living with options or how to become our 7 Innovative treatment gives new hope for restoring sight partner in sight restoration by calling (312) 469-5516 or visiting eversightvision.org/illinois Partners in vision 8 Surgeons flourish in eye banking leadership program Use the enclosed Make a gift by phone, Donate online at Make a planned Make your gift go further— contribution envelope call (312) 469-5516 eversightvision.org/illinois gift or bequest check with your employer for matching-gift opportunities Cover story: 10 Advancing eye banking Photos by Dimitre Photography Five ways Eversight is changing the future of sight Spring 2017 | VISION | Page 3 Eversight Illinois is celebrating our 70th anniversary with a look Years back at the many people whose deep commitment to our mission Eversight Illinois transformed donation and transplantation as we know it today.

1947 1950s 1969 1990s 2005 TODAY Originally named the Illinois During the first year 25 eyes were Dr. Maurice Rabb, a Professor of By this time, the Illinois Eye-Bank Dr. Joel Sugar received the Eversight Illinois is a leader in Eye-Bank, the organization was donated, and only four were at the University averaged more than 1,000 eye Founder’s Award, the eye bank’s the eye banking community. Led the fourth eye bank in the United used for transplants in Chicago. of Illinois at Chicago, became donations a year. Surgeries could highest honor, for his two decades by Medical Directors Catherine States when it was established But as the life-changing power of the first Illinois Eye-Bank Medical be scheduled in advance, and of dedication and personal Crockett, M.D., Gregory Halperin, at Cook County Hospital as a joint restored sight became more Director. Dr. Rabb was known the cornea transplant waiting commitment to the mission of the M.D., Joel Sugar, M.D., and project between the Chicago widely known, communities began internationally for his pioneering list was virtually eliminated thanks Illinois Eye-Bank. At the same time, Elmer Tu, M.D., the organization Ophthalmological Society and the embracing the idea of eye work in corneal and retinal to the growing support for 2,357 eye tissues were donated continues to restore sight for Illinois Society for the Prevention donation and transplantation. vascular diseases. eye donation. for transplant and research—a nearly 3,000 people every year. of Blindness. stark contrast to the 25 in 1947.

Restoring 1,000+ sight donations

Eye banks 1940s work 20/20s together

1950s 1956 1970s 1985 1996 2015 Early leadership was a collaborative The Illinois Eye-Bank received This decade brought numerous The Illinois Eye-Bank and the The BroMenn-Watson Gailey Midwest Eye-Banks changed its effort between prominent more than 100 eye donations, advances in transplant technology. Michigan Eye-Bank took the bold Eye-Bank in Bloomington joined name to Eversight and the Illinois ophthalmologists, including and the organization quickly Breakthroughs in cornea storage step of merging together and the Illinois Eye-Bank, allowing Eye-Bank became Eversight Illinois, Dr. William F. Hughes, one of the became a 24/7 operation, hiring media had a major impact on becoming Midwest Eye-Banks. the organization to serve both re-energizing its mission and founding fathers of eye banking, its first full-time employee and the availability of for Together, they provided more northern and central Illinois. And inspiring more people to support and Dr. Robert Fitzgerald. placing volunteers on call to transplantation, because eye tissue comprehensive and efficient Midwest Eye-Banks was heavily the organization’s commitment to deliver tissue. could be preserved for several care to both communities, their involved with funding preliminary providing the gift of sight now and days rather than just a few hours. surgeons and patients. research into the causes and cures into the future. of blinding eye diseases.

Spring 2017 | VISION | Page 4 Spring 2017 | VISION | Page 5 Evelin’s struggle with corneal blindness began 10 years earlier. Living with keratoconus At just 20 years old, Evelin endured progressive vision loss and a series of misdiagnoses before finally receiving an explanation Special thanks to Parag A. Majmudar, for her problems: keratoconus. M.D., President and Chief Medical Officer of Chicago Cornea Consultants, “I didn’t know if I would go completely blind,” Evelin said. Ltd., for providing information about “I asked my doctor if I would ever get to see the simple things keratoconus and the innovative like colorful flowers or my family’s faces. I didn’t know if my corneal cross-linking treatment. eye disease would end my dreams.” Dr. Majmudar Fortunately, Evelin regained hope when she learned a cornea transplant could restore her sight. Now, eight years after Every year thousands of people are diagnosed with an her surgery, Evelin has a successful career in the medical field eye condition called keratoconus. The disorder is a and can enjoy all of life’s finest details—like her 5-year-old common cause of corneal blindness in which the cornea son’s smile. progressively thins and steepens into a cone shape. The cornea acts as a window and allows light to pass through to the retina to project a clear image to the brain. In keratoconus, however, the abnormal shape of the cornea results in a distorted image. Symptoms & treatments As the condition worsens, patients often experience a variety of symptoms which interfere with their visual acuity and ability to complete daily tasks, jobs or other responsibilities. Common symptoms may Donor mom and recipient include: “Katie saw beauty in all its imperfect forms Donor mother • Increased light sensitivity • Difficulty driving at night September Vaudrey connect through the through those beautiful eyes of hers. To know displays a painting • Eye strain, headaches • Seeing halos around lights that her corneas are helping you see the by her daughter, and eye pain healing power of donation Katie. world more clearly has brought me much Transplants have provided the gift of sight to countless joy over the years.” patients with keratoconus, but new innovations offer and transplantation a variety of other options. One of these therapies, which Evelin’s gratitude motivated her to do more than just write Nov. 7, 2016 was a day September Vaudrey anticipated for has become a first-line treatment for keratoconus all to September. It inspired her to set up a meeting. more than eight years. She was finally going to meet the person over the world, is called corneal cross-linking (CXL). who received the gift of sight from her daughter, Katie. So, during the first week of November, Evelin and September CXL employs ultraviolet light and a photosensitizer to finally had the chance to embrace and share their Katie passed away unexpectedly in 2008, and though she was increase corneal strength and halt the advancement of interconnected stories at Eversight Illinois in Chicago. only 19 years old, she experienced more joy, love and laughter the bulging caused by keratoconus. This therapy was than most people get in a lifetime. She was an accomplished Evelin Vazquez As September hugged Evelin for the first time, she said, previously only recommended for progressive cases, but feared for her artist who aspired to become a professional painter. Beyond sight because “Thank you so much for being willing to meet me. It CXL is now being used to preserve corneal shape and her artistic endeavors, Katie dreamed of being a wife and of a progressive means so much.” function for both young patients and those whose mother one day. eye disease, conditions could possibly worsen. but a cornea Evelin simply replied, “No, thank Katie.” “The week before her passing, she said, ‘Mom, I want to have transplant Similar to cornea transplants, CXL is an outpatient allowed her six children,’” September said. “This completely reflects Katie’s to follow her procedure and takes about 60–90 minutes. Patients highest priorities in life: family and people. She was all about dreams. typically recover their baseline visual acuity within loving people.” Eversight Illinois helps facilitate 48–72 hours. correspondance between recipients and This love for others had inspired her to join the donor registry The letter made its way to Evelin Vazquez, who had always donor families. If you are interested in writing The future of CXL several years earlier. Katie’s decision allowed her to touch the wondered about the person to whom she owed her renewed to a donor family or recipient, contact lives of eight people through eye, organ and tissue donation, sight. In her reply Evelin wrote: Brittany Wright, Community Relations Liaison, As CXL continues growing in popularity, surgeons including two cornea recipients in Illinois. at [email protected]. anticipate the procedure will be offered to every child “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about and adult at the first onset of keratoconus. With When September learned of this outcome, she jumped at the my donor and give thanks. Now increased education about CXL it might even be possible chance to participate in the Eversight Illinois correspondence to change the keratoconus paradigm from a reactive program and wrote Katie’s recipients a heartfelt letter. I know I can say THANK YOU KATIE.” treatment (i.e. performing a transplant) to a proactive one.

Spring 2017 | VISION | Page 6 Spring 2017 | VISION | Page 7 PARTNERS IN VISION Black & White Surgeons flourish in eye banking leadership program

Dr. Tannan said. “It was a great “Surgeons are one of our most Night for Sight forum for less experienced important constituents,” said Mary Peete, Eversight Illinois Professional physicians like myself to gain true Relations Liaison, “and this kind of insight and guidance from those program draws back the curtain for who have been working tirelessly to young surgeons on the intricate details Eversight Illinois Night for Sight co-chairs Karen Magers and Leanna Bordner, and the event committee, are pleased advance the goals of eye banking, that make transplantation possible. Because of that added knowledge, to invite you to Black & White Night for Sight on May 4 at the and, above Dr. Tannan and Dr. Farooq are both DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington. Dr. Farooq Dr. Tannan all, patient care.” better equipped to treat their patients Enjoy an elegant evening of cuisine and cocktails while donning Participants completed several sessions and restore people’s sight.” your favorite black and white attire. The event, which raises Eversight Illinois connects with cornea throughout the program, including one funds for Eversight Illinois and our charitable programs, surgeons early in their careers and entitled “Follow the Cornea,” which also includes live auction prizes, a mystery wine pull, 50/50 provides opportunities for them to learn explores eye banking from donation to raffle and much more! about eye banking practices, because the moment tissue is delivered for surgery. At the heart of the celebration, Eversight Illinois is honoring fostering relationships with talented, To assist Dr. Tannan and Dr. Farooq in donor parents Jim and Kelly Collins and Keri Schmidt and Jeff caring physicians is critical to our mission. fulfilling their requirements for “Follow Kohlmeier, whose sons gave the ultimate gift—the gift of sight. The Eye Bank Association of America’s the Cornea,” Eversight Illinois hosted Jim and Kelly lost Michael, their 22-year-old son, three years ago 2017 Physician Leadership program is each for a first-hand introduction to our following a tragic car accident. Michael became an eye donor one such opportunity. Eversight Illinois operations. Chemika Howard, Operations and gave two people the gift of sight, and he continues to have nominated corneal surgeons Dr. Asim Supervisor of Clinical Recovery, explained a lasting impact on those in need through The Michael Collins Farooq and Dr. Anjali Tannan to take part how Eversight Illinois reaches out to Parents of cornea donors Casey Kohlmeier (left) and Michael Collins will be honored at Black & White Night for Sight. Foundation. The Foundation, created by his parents to honor in this year’s program designed to promote donor families and recovers their loved their son and support charitable causes that were close to his their professional growth and leadership ones’ tissues. And Dalene Youngblood, heart, has touched countless lives and inspired 20,000 people on in the eye banking community. Lab Supervisor, demonstrated how social media to repay good deeds in honor of Michael. corneas are packaged and shipped to “It was an eye-opening experience Chemika Howard (right), Eversight Illinois Operations surgeons across the United States and Supervisor of Clinical Recovery, shows Dr. Asim Farooq The event will also honor Keri and Jeff whose son, Casey, died and I learned a great deal,” the world. a variety of technician recovery tools. in 2013 after being hit by a drunk driver. Casey was a young police officer committed to serving his community. This dedication to helping others continued after his passing, as Casey was a cornea donor who gave sight to two recipients. Inspired by Casey’s donation, Keri became a public speaker to raise awareness about the dangers of drunken driving and the importance of registering Eversight Illinois welcomes new corneal as an eye, organ and tissue donor. Black & White Night for Sight is a wonderful evening of food and drinks with friends coming together to support Eversight Illinois. Our honorees represent a special community of individuals and surgeon to Carle Foundation Hospital families who give selflessly so that others may see a bright future. Illinois is fortunate to have many driving long distances Please help us recognize these incredible people and the impact highly skilled and passionate surgeons a big challenge. they have made on donation and transplantation. dedicated to serving the state’s Fortunately for Linda, residents battling corneal blindness. and others like her, she In August 2016, Dr. Abu-Bakar Zafar didn’t have to go far joined Carle Foundation Hospital, th Anniversary Celebration for exceptional care. allowing patients in Urbana who Dr. Zafar completed his fellowship in cornea and refractive previously had to drive hours for Where has the time gone? We’re celebrating 70 years of service to our community and surgery at Pepose Vision Institute and Barnes-Jewish Hospital a cornea transplant to now receive 70 honoring those who have been changed by corneal transplantation and research at our and has a background of diverse experiences that keep him on Dr. Zafar medical care close to home. 70th Anniversary Celebration. the cutting edge of his field. In September, Linda Hascall of Savoy was the first patient SAVE THE DATE • THE PENINSULA CHICAGO • WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2017 • 6 P.M.–10 P.M. Dr. Zafar has already become an asset to Carle, and Eversight to receive a cornea transplant at Carle. Linda was diagnosed Illinois looks forward to continuing to work with him. As for with Fuchs’ dystrophy, which made things like gardening, Linda, she’s thrilled with her renewed vision and can’t wait to get working, volunteering as a graphic designer and especially back to doing the things she loves. Spring 2017 | VISION | Page 9 INNOVATION­ “We have to continue evolving and improving our treatments and can never stop at what we have.” Dr. Shahzad Mian, University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center corneal surgeon and Eversight Medical Director

Dr. Mian’s words couldn’t ring more true. What we know today about treating blindness was made possible by the people before us who believed there was a better way. At the core of our mission, Eversight is dedicated to advancing new treatments through technology, partnerships and clinical practices that will make sight restoration better than ever before.

Changing climate Excellence in action Breaking boundaries A new look Eversight provides tissue for more than 2,500 transplant Two years of hard work paid off for Lauren Johnson, Eversight In many parts of the world, corneal transplantation is limited Before any cornea is made available for transplant or research patients outside the United States every year, and with each Tissue Processing Services Manager, and Dr. Parag Majmudar of by a lack of foundational and advanced clinical training. it must undergo a stringent evaluation process at the hands delivery there are many logistical challenges to overcome, Chicago Cornea Consultants, after investigating parameters Eversight is one of the first organizations to provide training of specially trained technicians using the latest microscope particularly climate. International shipments are often exposed affecting endothelial cell health for a tissue-staining procedure to physicians and healthcare professionals in regions most technology. Now, Eversight is taking a whole new look at tissue to extreme temperature fluctuations, from near-zero conditions popular with both surgeons and eye banks. affected by preventable blindness. evaluation with the CellChek D+ microscope, recently in the United States to desert regions like Abu Dhabi where integrated into each of our laboratories. Using grant funding provided by the Eye Bank Association of In December, Eversight partnered with a team of renowned the temperature can average nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit. But America, the pair discovered the optimal time to stain the corneal surgeons to remove these barriers and train physicians The CellChek D+ produces images with detail never seen during this long journey, the packaging must maintain a stable cornea with trypan blue dye, a process commonly used to help from across Asia on the latest techniques in corneal before by earlier technology. Eversight technicians can now internal environment to keep the tissue safe. surgeons visualize tissue during surgery. transplantation. During the Asia Cornea Society Scientific see corneas in 3-D and make more accurate evaluations that help prevent transplant complications. The microscopes One tiny device, called an electronic The cornea is vulnerable to damage if the dye is applied too long, Conference in Seoul, South Korea, Eversight sponsored a have the capability to do much more—functions that will be data logger, is changing the way especially for procedures like DMEK in which the tissue is no thicker training wet lab and provided donor tissue for four successful further explored in the coming months. Eversight delivers tissue abroad. The than a human hair. If not dyed long enough, surgeons may have live cornea transplant surgeries that were streamed to the logger, no larger than a USB drive, is difficulty positioning the tissue properly. Both factors can increase more than 200 conference attendees. “The CellChek D+ is an important investment in the placed inside the tissue cooler and the incidence of transplant complications and even rejection. “It’s an incredible privilege for Eversight to work quality of services and patient safety,” said Michael collects temperature data throughout the shipping process. Once the package arrives at its destination, a surgeon can view “Finding the right balance to satisfy surgeon needs with such innovative leaders in the field of corneal O’Keefe, Eversight Chief Clinical Officer. “We’re excited the recorded data and verify safe shipping conditions. during the procedure, as well as promote adherence transplantation,” said Collin Ross, Eversight to find more ways this technology can advance our Early results from the device led Eversight to adopt new and favorable patient results, was paramount in this International Executive Director. “We’re working eye banking practices.” packaging that can maintain a constant internal temperature study,” Johnson said. “We look forward to sharing our together to share our skills and expertise, to help for 72 hours in any climate—an important factor when sending results with the greater eye banking community to ensure train physicians dedicated to restoring sight.” tissue thousands of miles around the globe. the best outcomes for all cornea transplant patients.” “The data logger has been an incredible tool for Johnson and Dr. Majmudar’s research was recently published in upholding the highest standards in safety and quality Cornea, the leading peer-reviewed ophthalmology journal, and of the tissue we provide for transplants,” said presented at the EBAA’s Annual Scientific Symposium. Erik Hellier, Director of International Clinical Services. Innovations Task Force “Technology like this aids us in giving sight to anyone Improvements in cornea transplant surgery and vision therapies own blood, are a novel therapy for a syndrome that can lead to in the world.” are developing at an incredible rate, creating new opportunities ulcers and vision loss if left untreated. for Eversight to grow our services. To keep pace and anticipate “In eye banking, and ophthalmology as a whole, we’re emerging medical innovations, Eversight formed the Innovations Task Force, an internal team comprised of representatives from seeing so many exciting discoveries with great promise key departments including clinical operations, recovery, in treating vision loss,” said David Bosch, Eversight processing, research, quality and client services, with guidance Chief Marketing Officer. “Our Innovations Task Force from members of our Medical Advisory Committee. allows us to stay on top of emerging procedures, One exciting opportunity identified early on by the Task Force processes and therapies important to researchers, was the need for autologous serum eye drops for physicians surgeons and their patients.” treating dry eye disease. The drops, developed using a patient’s Spring 2017 | VISION | Page 11 547 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 600 Chicago, IL 60661

2016: See our impact

“I am so grateful for 2,388 Illinois residents gave the gift of sight my cornea donor, as she gave me the chance to see my first granddaughter People received a second chance for sight clearly. I can’t put 2,461 through corneal transplantation with the into words how help of Eversight Illinois amazing this gift is.” — Jason Murphy, People donated for research and education cornea recipient 1,261 to advance eye banking practices and treatments for blinding eye diseases

Mark your calendars!

Black and White Night for Sight 70th Anniversary Celebration Keep up with our latest events on Thursday, May 4, 2016 Wednesday, July 26, 2017 social media 6–9:30 p.m. 6–10 p.m. facebook.com/eversightillinois DoubleTree Hilton Hotel The Peninsula Chicago @EversightIL Bloomington, IL Chicago, IL eversightillinois

Eversight Illinois • P: (800) 548-4703 • F: (312) 706-6761 • eversightvision.org/illinois