GREAT NECK, N.Y.—Recently, the Lions Eye Bank for Long Island, part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System , celebrated its 25th anniversary as a not-for-profit community organization that has provided the gift of sight to over 11,500 people in need of sight-restoring corneal transplants.

 Sponsored by Lions Clubs International (LCI), a service organization comprised of 1.35 million people in 206 countries and geographical areas, the Lions Eye Bank coordinates all necessary services to recover, process, screen and distribute donated tissues for transplantation, research and medical education. Accredited by the Eye Bank Association of America, the Lions Eye Bank is supported locally by the Lions Clubs of Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn and Queens, which donate funds, state-of-the-art equipment, and volunteer courier and outreach services.

This year, at their 25th Anniversary Gala held at Leonard’s of Great Neck, the Lions Eye Bank honored Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) for the support it has provided sight restoration programs throughout the world. Accepting the award on behalf of LCIF was the President of LCI, Wing-Kun Tam, of The People’s Republic of China, who joined current Lions Club members, local officials, medical professionals and team members to celebrate. “I am proud to accept this honor,” said Dr. Tam. “The Lions Eye Bank exemplifies the level of service and dedication necessary in restoring sight to those who have become unable to behold the world through their own eyes. Together, we can and will continue to make a difference worldwide.”

The more than 11,500 recipients have received the highest quality cornea transplants thanks to the dedicated Lions Eye Bank’s current and past medical leadership, administrators, board members, volunteer couriers, support staff, eye bank technicians, nurses, community educators, transplant physicians and Lions members. “The organization is a shining example of what happens when committed and passionate people get together to make a difference,” said Kenneth Manger, director of the Lions Eye Bank Program located at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. “We get to give others another chance to see the beauty of fall foliage or freshly fallen snow, and the smiling faces of their loved ones. We look with anticipation to the great things the Lions Eye Bank can accomplish in the next 25 years.”

 Proceeds from the event benefitted the Lions Eye Bank fundraising group, the Long Island Lions Eye Foundation. Just days after the event, the Lions Eye Bank at North Shore University Hospital  was able to provide a cornea, free of service charges, for a 60-year-old patient without insurance, truly giving the gift of sight for the holidays.

For more information about the Lions Eye Bank for Long Island, call (516) 465-8430 or visit www.lebli.org.