MANHASSET, NY – In recognition of National Eye Donor Awareness Month, the Lions Eye Bank for Long Island at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) in Manhasset will offer free education programs during March at various North Shore-LIJ Health System hospitals.

 March is Eye Donor Awareness Month—and a vital time to stress the importance of eye donations. Last year, 41,652 corneal transplants were performed in the United States, and since there is no substitute for human tissue, transplantation is dependent on the invaluable donation of corneal tissue from one person to another. Eye tissue is also integral to the research and education of treatments and cures for numerous eye problems that lead to blindness or impaired vision, such as glaucoma, retinal disease or eye complications of diabetes.

 “It is vitally important that people discuss their final wishes about eye donations with family members and next of kin, because so many others can be helped who are visually impaired due to corneal disease,” says Samuel Packer, MD, executive chairman of the Lions Eye Bank for Long Island at NSUH.

Healthcare professionals and information displays will be available at the following locations and dates:  

• March 16:   North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the lobby;
• March 19:   Franklin Hospital, 900 Franklin Avenue, Valley Stream, NY, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lobby;
• March 22:   Long Island Jewish Medical Center, 270-05 76th Avenue, New   Hyde Park, NY, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the cafeteria;
• March 31:   Forest Hills Hospital, 102-01 66th Road, Forest Hills, NY, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lobby

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization, best known for their mission of fighting blindness by conducting vision screenings, equipping hospitals and clinics, distributing medicine and raising awareness of eye disease. Established in 1986, the Lions Eye Bank for Long Island at NSUH serves Nassau and Suffolk counties, as well as Brooklyn and Queens, by providing superior quality ocular tissue for corneal transplants.

Once a decision is made, it is easy to register to become an eye donor.  To sign up on the New York State Donate Life Registry or for more information about the Lions Eye Bank’s sight restoration programs call (516) 465-8430 or visit their website at www.lebli.org.

Media Contact: Kristen Longo
516-465-2607/2600
klongo@nshs.edu