SEPTEMBER 2024 | VOL 9

Orange Blossom Gardens Lions Club Hosts “In Focus” Luncheon to Support Vision Services

On September 11th, the Orange Blossom Gardens Lions Club hosted the “In Focus: A Luncheon Supporting Better Vision” at the American Legion Post 347 in Lady Lake, Florida. The event brought together over 70 regional attendees, including Lions Clubs from Lake Sumter, Eastport, Davenport, and others. Together, these clubs united in support of vision services, demonstrating their commitment to making a real difference in those affected by vision loss.

The luncheon attendees were honored by the presence of District Governor Bob Armstrong of Florida Lions District 35-O. His inspiring words of leadership encouraged everyone to continue advancing our mission.

One of the event's highlights was a generous $30,000 donation to Beauty of Sight. "These funds will enable us to expand our life-changing work of restoring and protecting sight, supporting sight-saving surgeries and critical research," shared Elizabeth Fout, Executive Director of Beauty of Sight.

Elizabeth Fout and Cheryl Lawko, Development Director of Beauty of Sight, were present to receive the contribution. They expressed gratitude for the community’s ongoing support of our mission to Create a World Without Blindness.

CORNEA WETLAB AT THE FACOEXTREMA CONGRESS

Last month, Beauty of Sight was honored to join several U.S. eye banks as part of the Aleye Group during the Cornea Wetlab at the FacoExtrema Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Aleye Group, a resource and facilitator of corneas to eye banks in Latin America, made this opportunity possible through the strong relationship between U.S. and Latin American eye banks.



A highlight of the event was the guidance of William Buras and Katrina Llanes, who led the training sessions on tissue handling for endothelial grafts. Their instruction covered advanced preparation techniques for DMEK and DSAEK. Additionally, the Aleye team’s training featured a wetlab for CAIRS preparation, further advancing the collective knowledge and expertise of the participating surgeons.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: A Vision of Unity and Diversity

At Beauty of Sight, we celebrate the rich diversity that makes our community unique. From September 15 to October 15, we recognize Hispanic Heritage Month, which is when we honor Hispanic communities' cultures, histories, and contributions across the United States.



Hispanic Heritage Month encourages us to reflect on the impact of generations of Hispanic and Latino individuals on our society. We also celebrate contributions that have shaped our world in countless ways, from visionaries like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in the arts to trailblazers like Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space.

This month holds special meaning for us at Beauty of Sight as we work towards our mission to restore sight and care to all. We are deeply inspired by the values rooted in Hispanic culture—family, unity, and service to others. These values align with our commitment to offering services that improve the quality of life for individuals and families. Just as the Hispanic and Latino communities embrace diversity and support one another, we aim to ensure everyone has access to the care they need, regardless of background.

Please donate today to support our programs, including our Gratis Corneal Tissue, Serum Tears Assistance, and Research programs!