OCTOBER 2025 | VOL 10

WORLD SIGHT DAY-OCTOBER 9^TH, 2025: THE LIGHT SHE FIGHTS FOR: FATEMEH’S JOURNEY OF HOPE

“When I wake up in the morning, I don’t look at the clock; I look out the window. Because I could lose my sight at any time.”

– Fatemeh Sugrue

Born with Peters anomaly, a rare congenital eye disease, Fatemeh Sugrue entered the world without sight. As a nine-month-old baby, she received her first double corneal transplant and glaucoma surgery, allowing her to see for the very first time.

Fatemeh and her family now live in Florida, where she is under the care of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. She has undergone multiple transplants made possible by the generosity of eye donors and families, including ocular tissue provided by Beauty of Sight. These gifts have helped her maintain her vision, raise her two sons, and live a life filled with purpose.

Recognizing the isolation that often comes with rare diseases and determined to give back, Fatemeh created a blog to connect families around the world. “People from more than a dozen countries have reached out, some from the Philippines, Africa, Australia,” she shared. “One mother read my story and told me it gave her hope for her baby. That’s why I keep doing it.”

On this World Sight Day, we honor Fatemeh’s strength and the donor heroes whose gifts make vision, connection, and hope possible. Her journey reminds us that sight is more than vision; it’s connection, love, and hope.

Register as an eye, organ, and tissue donor today

UNDERSTANDING PETERS ANOMALY

Peters anomaly is a rare congenital eye disorder found in newborns that causes a central cloudy patch on the cornea, due to a developmental defect during the first trimester of pregnancy. Diagnosis is made through an eye examination shortly after birth, and while there's no cure, treatments like corneal transplantation and managing glaucoma can help improve vision.  

What Are the Signs?

• Corneal Clouding: The most common sign is a cloudy spot in the center of the cornea.
• Adhesions: The iris (colored part of the eye) or lens may be abnormally attached to the cornea.
• Anterior Segment Dysgenesis: Peters anomaly belongs to a group of disorders that affect the front structures of the eye.
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Causes

The condition can result from genetic mutations that affect eye development. Environmental factors and the timing of eye formation early in pregnancy may also contribute.

Treatment

Treatment often involves a team of specialists and focuses on improving vision and managing complications. Corneal transplantation can correct the structural defect, while eyedrops may be used to control glaucoma. Preventing amblyopia (lazy eye) is also an essential part of care. While Peters' anomaly has no cure, early diagnosis and coordinated treatment can help children achieve better vision outcomes and overall eye health.

At Beauty of Sight, collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We’re proud to work hand in hand with our donation partners and hospital teams across our service area to ensure that every donation opportunity is honored.

Last month, Beauty of Sight, Legacy Donor Services Foundation, and Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency joined forces to host a series of Lunch and Learn in-service sessions at several hospitals within the Baptist Health system.



These visits offered a meaningful way to strengthen communication, enhance the donation process, and celebrate the vital role that nurses and healthcare professionals play in making the gift of life, healing, and sight possible.

The impact of these partnerships can be seen throughout our communities. In the last quarter alone, 225 individuals within our service area gave the gift of sight—61% of whom were registered donors (138). This number reflects not only the generosity of our communities but also the education, awareness, and support fostered through our collaboration with hospital partners.

We are grateful to the compassionate and dedicated hospital teams throughout our entire service area whose daily efforts help save and transform lives. We’re also deeply thankful for the donors and their families, whose selfless acts make the gift of sight possible. Together, we’re making vision and hope a reality.

CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF LIFE, HONORING DONOR HEROES

BEAUTY OF SIGHT JOINS THE RUN 4-LIFE 5K

Beauty of Sight is proud to be a sponsor of the Run 4-Life 5K, hosted by Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Zoo Miami. This meaningful event celebrates the gift of life through organ, eye, and tissue donation, honoring the legacies of generous donors and the families who make these lifesaving gifts possible.

It’s a beautiful opportunity to celebrate donors and their legacies, surrounded by families and friends who understand the power of donation. The Run 4-Life 5K welcomes runners, walkers, and supporters of all ages.



Together, we will:

• Honor the lives of donor heroes through their gifts of organ, eye, and tissue donation
• Celebrate the lives of recipients who have been given a second chance
• Recognize those still waiting for a lifesaving transplant

Many families choose to make Run 4-Life a special day of remembrance by:

• Forming a team with family and friends
• Creating custom shirts to celebrate their loved one’s memory
• Walking or running together in their honor

Race Registration Rates

• $35 valid through 10/21
• $45 valid through 11/21
• $50 Race Day Registration
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Event Timeline

• 6:00 AM Registration
• 7:30 AM 5K Run/Walk Begins
• 8:45 AM Awards Ceremony

For more information, please get in touch with Life Alliance at 862-686-9712 or email mxs1876@med.miami.edu