News Releases
Two Dollar Check-Off to Help with Public Education
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (January 11, 2012) — As of January 1, 2012, Minnesotans may contribute $2 to support public education about organ, eye, and tissue donation through their driver's license or state ID application.
This donation check-off was part of a bipartisan bill passed during the 2011 state legislative session and supports the state's commitment to ensure Minnesotans have the information they need to make a decision about registering to be donor.
Financial contributions received through license and ID applications will help support "You and $2," a program developed to increase the number of people who are choosing to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors. Currently 60% of Minnesota adults are registered as donors.
Help save and change lives by registering to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor and by supporting "You and $2."
For more information, contact Jennifer Marshall at 1-866-887-4448 (toll-free) or 612-626-6081 (direct).
International Journal of Eye Banking Web Site Launched - Call for Papers
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (November 28, 2011) — The International Journal of Eye Banking (ISSN 2161-5446), the first peer-reviewed journal devoted exclusively to eye banking, is pleased to invite English-language submissions for its first year of publication, scheduled to commence during the early months of 2012. The editors seek original research papers, as well as articles of professional and educational interest to eye bankers around the world. Details about content needs, editorial policies, and submission guidelines are available via convenient links on the journal’s website www.EyeBankingJournal.org.
“In addition, we invite everyone within the eye banking community to reserve their subscription,” says Jackie V. Malling, RN, CEBT, who serves as the journal’s editor-in-chief and is chief executive officer of the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank, a nonprofit organization at the University of Minnesota. “The online registration process makes it easy to stay abreast of updates and announcements that will be posted as we prepare for launch, including additions to the current international editorial board.” In keeping with the quarterly journal’s open access policy, an annual subscription is free; a suggested donation of US$50 would help support publication.
“We also are looking for persons to lend their expertise as peer reviewers,” says Malling, noting that the journal has been conceived as a serious, scholarly publication whose scope and coverage; quality, originality, and importance of scientific content; and editorial policies and production standards will qualify it for inclusion in biomedical databases. “We intend to apply as soon as an appropriate level of citable articles has been achieved, perhaps as early as the first year.” The journal follows prevailing ethical guidelines for authorship, conflict of interest and financial disclosure, privacy of patients’ data, advertising and sponsorship, and anonymity of peer review.
Visitors to the website can register as a subscriber, an author, and/or a reviewer, all in a single visit. “We welcome interest and involvement from all members of the community,” Malling adds, “whether regional, national, or international in scope. We envision the International Journal of Eye Banking as a ‘one-stop shop’ for scientific articles, technical updates, and industry context.”
The journal will be produced in collaboration with the Eye Bank Association of America, whose leadership on medical standards, accreditation and certification, and professional advocacy is internationally recognized; the Association of Eye Banks of Asia, a supranational networking organization formed to bring eye banks in the region together; the European Eye Bank Association, the leading pan-national technical and scientific association in Europe dedicated to the advancement of eye banking; and the Eye Bank Association of Australia & New Zealand, which is dedicated to restoring sight by facilitating cooperation among the region’s eye banks. Affiliations with additional eye bank associations will be announced in coming weeks. Funding for the publication’s launch has been provided by the Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation, Inc., supported by members of Lions Clubs International, the largest service organization in the world.
For more information, contact Cindy Christian Rogers, Consulting Editor, at 763-442-4529 or editor@EyeBankingJournal.org.
International Journal of Eye Banking Fact Sheet
Frank Loreno Receives Betty Walen Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (November 1, 2011) — Frank Loreno of Saint Anthony, Minnesota, has received the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank's Betty Walen Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. A volunteer since 2001, Frank manages the eye bank accounts, tracking and depositing all monetary donations weekly. He documents financial transactions related to the eye bank and prepares reports for the eye bank, the Lions, and the Department of Ophthalmology. A CPA, Frank also serves as an advisor to CEO Jackie Malling on all financial matters.
Frank is treasurer for the Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation board of directors, the eye bank's governing body, and has given thousands of volunteer hours directly to the eye bank and through the Vision Foundation. A father of 7, grandfather of 17, and great-grandfather of 4, Frank is an active member of the Saint Anthony Lions Club and has been Saint Anthony Villager of the Year. Despite his extensive involvement in Lions International and his local community, he finds time to visit the eye bank at least weekly, sometimes daily. He volunteers at many eye bank events, always offering, always with an intelligent eye to what might be helpful.
Frank was instrumental in chartering the Minneapolis Ambassadors Lions Club at the University of Minnesota, the first electronic Lions Club in the world! The Ambassadors club has given the eye bank and the department of ophthalmology a better presence among Lions club members and a better understanding of the Lions drive to serve. Frank is the Ambassador Lions' go-to person and the club cheerleader. He remains their guiding Lion.
Frank is an invaluable asset to the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank and is most deserving of the eye bank's gratitude and the Betty Walen Volunteer Award.
Betty Walen was the first Minnesota Lions Eye Bank volunteer. She served at the eye bank for 25 years, longer than any volunteer or paid employee, and recorded more than 19,000 service hours. A corneal tissue transplant recipient, Betty volunteered in gratitude to the organization and the community that gave her the gift of sight. To pay tribute to this phenomenal volunteer, Minnesota Lions Eye Bank established the Betty Walen Volunteer Award in 2009. The award honors those who demonstrate exceptional commitment, service, creativity, cooperation, or leadership while volunteering for the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank.
For more information, contact Jennifer Marshall at 1-866-887-4448 (toll-free) or 612-626-6081 (direct).
Eye Bank Supports New Law on Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (June 10, 2011) — The State of Minnesota has adopted a new law (SF 0892) providing residents with a simple way to financially support organ, tissue, and eye donation. Beginning January 1, 2012, Minnesotans may choose, as they renew their driver's licenses or state ID cards, to donate $2 to a fund to educate the public about the need to register as an organ, tissue, and eye donor.
The Minnesota Lions Eye Bank supported passage of the new law and encouraged Lions and other eye bank supporters to contact authors and other legislators about the importance of public education and the need for increased donation.
For more than 50 years the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank has been the resource for eye donation in Minnesota, eastern North Dakota, and western Wisconsin. Eye donors to the eye bank have helped restore eyesight by providing more than 25,000 donated corneas for transplant and have helped countless others across the world by providing more than 20,000 donated eyes for research and medical education.
For more information, contact Sara McFee, Communications Director, at 612-624-8952.
Take Five During National Donate Life Month
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (March 10, 2011) — Every day we face a "to do" list, at work and in our personal lives. Unfortunately, our lists can be long and many good intentions get set aside. An opportunity that is sometimes delayed is making or recording your decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor.
One eye donor can restore or save the sight of up to 10 people. A tissue donor can change 50 lives, and an organ donor can save 8. To date, more than 59% of Minnesotans (2.3 million) have made the decision to share the gifts of life and sight through donation. Have you made your decision? If not, take five!
During National Donate Life Month (April), take five minutes to register your decision to be a donor at www.DonateLifeMN.org. Registration is confidential and will help ensure that your wish to donate is fulfilled.
Many employers grant their employees work time to register. If you think your work place might do the same, consider designating a day for employees to "take five." Send an initial e-mail or mailing a few weeks prior to your "take five" day and a reminder e-mail on campaign day. Suggested language is below or you can download a Take Five flyer.
Thank you for considering the gifts of life and sight through donation!
Sample "Take Five" Campaign Initial E-mail
Dear Employee,
Every day we face a "to do" list, at work and in our personal lives. Unfortunately, our lists can be long and many good intentions get set aside. One opportunity that is sometimes delayed is making or recording a decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor.
One eye donor can restore or save the sight of up to 10 people. A tissue donor can change 50 lives. An organ donor can save 8 people. To date, more than 59% of Minnesotans (2.3 million) have made the decision to share the gifts of life and sight through donation.
Take Five Minutes on [Month Day, Year]
As a part of National Donate Life Month (April), we are offering you the opportunity to take five minutes during your work hours on [Month Day], 2011, to register your decision to be a donor at www.DonateLifeMN.org. Registration is confidential and will help ensure that your wish to donate is fulfilled. If you are already listed as a donor on your driver's license or state ID card, you do not need to register online.
Thank you for considering the gifts of life and sight through donation.
[Name, Title]
Sample "Take Five" Campaign Day E-mail
Dear Employee,
Today you may "Take Five" minutes during your workday to go to www.DonateLifeMN.org to register your wishes to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor. Registration is confidential.
Thank you for considering the gifts of life and sight through donation.
[Name, Title]
For more information, contact Jennifer Marshall at 1-866-887-4448 (toll-free) or 612-626-6081 (direct).
Remembering Betty Walen
(1919 - 2010)
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (November 29, 2010) — It is with deep sadness that we share the news of Miss Betty Jane Walen's death. Betty passed away on Sunday, November 28, following 6 months of hospice care.
For twenty-five years, Betty Walen volunteered her time and talents to the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank and the University of Minnesota's Department of Ophthalmology. Her contributions benefited the University, the eye bank, Lions, cornea recipients, and eye donor families.
A cornea recipient herself, Betty's volunteer services started shortly after cornea transplants saved her sight. Volunteering was a way to show her gratitude. Volunteering presented her with an opportunity to serve and be a part of something meaningful. She soon became an integral part of the eye bank, inspiring everyone with her dedication, energy, efficiency, and charm.
Contributions
Betty was with the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank longer than any volunteer or paid employee. She worked at the eye bank and helped with special events related to eye donation, accumulating more than 19,000 service hours! Her many duties over the years included:
- Corresponding with donor families and corneal transplant recipients
- Managing the eye bank's accounts receivables
- Serving as eye bank historian
- Organizing tours of the eye bank and the departments of ophthalmology and otolaryngology
- Being an ambassador for eye donation, the eye bank, and the University of Minnesota
Betty was a warm, familiar presence in the eye bank every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Whether in her blue smock or dressed to the nines, she could be found sharing treats with young eye patients or helping their parents understand cornea disease and the possible treatments. She was always available to counsel other cornea recipients and share her own cornea transplant experience.
Awards and Honors
Betty's talents and contributions have been acknowledged by many. The Department of Ophthalmology honored her with their Visionary Award. The Eye Bank Association of America presented her with the Gift of Sight Award. Betty earned the Vision Foundation's Outstanding Service Award and has been honored no less than four times with a Helen Keller Award. The Minnesota Lions Eye Bank established the Betty Walen Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service to honor Betty, and she was the first recipient of the eponymous award.
Betty Jane Walen was an extraordinary person. She was a kind and generous human being. She was a tireless volunteer. She was a champion for eye donation. She was our friend. We will miss her beautiful smile.
Give to the Max Day
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (November 23, 2010) — Minnesota Lions Eye Bank took part in Give to the Max Day, the Great Minnesota Give Together. On November 16, Minnesotans were challenged to donate to their favorite nonprofits during a 24-hour philanthropic spree. The Minnesota Lions Eye Bank is deeply grateful to those donors who helped us on Give to the Max Day, as well as those who support the eye bank all year round.
Give to the Max Day was created in 2009 with the goal to increase giving to nonprofits across the state. This year, more than 42,000 donors gave to Minnesota charities in a 24-hour period.
Donations can be made to the eye bank at any time by visiting GiveMN.org.
For more information, contact Jennifer Marshall at 1-866-887-4448 (toll-free) or 612-626-6081 (direct).
Remembering Lion Bob Becker (1937 - 2010)
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (October 1, 2010) — It is with deep sadness that we note the death of Lion Bob Becker on Wednesday, September 29.
A member of the Brooklyn Center Lions club for nearly 20 years, 
Lion Bob holds a special place in the hearts of eye bank staff members for the many, many volunteer hours he devoted to the eye bank. This remarkable man logged more than 70,000 thousand miles in 6 years picking up or delivering eye tissue to all points of our eye bank's service area—Rochester, Saint Cloud, Duluth, Superior, Wisconsin, Fargo, North Dakota, and more!
Lion Bob frequently served as an eye bank ambassador at public events. He was the guy who always showed up with his truck to cart eye bank displays and supplies around to special events. "You call, and I haul," was his motto.
Lion Bob served on the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank, Inc., board of directors since 2008, resigning just a week ago as he was preparing for his death on North Memorial Medical Center's hospice unit. He will be greatly missed.
Bob is survived by his wife of 40 years, fellow Lions member Sandy Becker.
For more information, contact Jennifer Marshall at 1-866-887-4448 (toll-free) or visit Evans-Nordby Funeral Homes.