Lions World Vision Institute welcomes two new leaders to guide operations, enhance performance, and expand its global impact in restoring sight. TAMPA, FL, UNITED STATES, September 16, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Lions World Vision Institute (LWVI), the world’s largest eye bank and a global leader in vision restoration, is pleased to announce two key additions to its leadership team. Julie Caldro has been named Chief Operating Officer, and Alyssa Harrison has been named Vice President of Operations. Together, they bring decades of experience and a deep commitment to advancing donation and transplantation. Julie Caldro, LWVI Chief Operating Officer With nearly 25 years of experience across organ, eye, and tissue donation and transplantation, Julie Caldro brings extensive operational leadership and strategic insight to LWVI. Most recently, she served at BioTissue, a leading provider of birth tissue allografts for ocular and surgical applications. Prior to that, she spent over two decades at LifeBanc, a nonprofit tissue recovery organization, where she led tissue and donor referral services. As COO, Julie will oversee day-to-day operations, optimize performance across departments, and help guide LWVI’s long-term strategy. Alyssa Harrison, LWVI Vice President of Operations Alyssa brings nearly 15 years of experience in the donation field, with expertise in tissue recovery, supply chain management, and organizational transformation. She most recently served at LifeShare Network, an organ procurement organization, where she led all aspects of tissue recovery and operations. Previously, Alyssa played a pivotal role at United Tissue Network, securing AATB accreditation and leading its transition to nonprofit status. An active industry leader, Alyssa currently serves as Chair of the American Association of Tissue Banks’ (AATB) Non-Transplant Anatomical Donation Organization Council. As VP of Operations, she will collaborate closely with LWVI leadership to strengthen processes and drive innovation. "Julie and Alyssa bring extraordinary experience and leadership, as well as genuine passion for our mission,” said Jason K. Woody, President and CEO of Lions World Vision Institute. “We are thrilled to have them on our team. Their expertise will help us honor every cornea and tissue donor and family we serve, while expanding our global reach and research so more people around the world can experience the gift of sight.” Together, Julie and Alyssa will play instrumental roles in advancing LWVI’s mission to restore sight and transform lives through donation, transplantation, and innovation. About Lions World Vision Institute Lions World Vision Institute is a global nonprofit dedicated to honoring vision as a basic human right. Our work reaches around the globe and includes compassionate donation and transplant services, innovative research and technologies, vision services and education in local and international communities. With our worldwide network of supporters, surgeons, and research leaders, we work tirelessly to honor donors’ gifts, so the world can see. Visit our website and discover how you can be the difference in someone’s life: www.LVWI.org

Tenaya Wallace LWVI +1 310-359-3631 tenaya.wallace@lwvi.org Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook

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TAMPA, Dec. 16, 2024 – Lions World Vision Institute (LWVI), a global leader in vision restoration and eye banking, is proud to announce its collaboration in a transformative research program funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The ARPA-H Transplantation of Human Eye Allografts (THEA) program aims to achieve the first functional whole eye transplant, restoring sight to those with previously untreatable blindness. LWVI is among more than 40 world-class scientists, surgeons, and researchers united under the Total Human Eye-allotransplantation Innovation Advancement (THEIA) project, led by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The award of up to $46 million is a six-year effort combining cutting-edge technology, regenerative medicine, and surgical innovation to reimagine the future of vision care. “This project has the potential to truly revolutionize both our understanding and treatment of blinding eye diseases, offering renewed hope to individuals living with vision loss,” said James Foster, PhD, Scientific Director of LWVI. “With our dedicated research team, decades of expertise, and state-of-the-art recovery and preservation capabilities, LWVI is uniquely positioned to contribute to the success of this groundbreaking endeavor.” This ambitious project has the potential to profoundly advance our understanding of the connections between the eye and brain, paving the way for breakthroughs in restoring vision to individuals with previously incurable blinding conditions. Partnering for a Visionary Goal While a cosmetic whole eye transplant was first demonstrated in 2023, achieving a functional transplant capable of restoring vision presents new challenges. A major focus of the THEIA project is to regenerate the optic nerve, which transmits signals from the eye to the brain, and to prevent scar formation that limits its regenerative capacity. LWVI will collaborate closely with researchers at Johns Hopkins University and CU Anschutz to: Study changes in the optic nerve after globe recovery.  Investigate novel methods to preserve tissue viability required for transplantation. Develop innovative techniques to extend the time optic nerves remain viable, increasing the chances of successful transplantation. LWVI will work alongside a distinguished team of experts, including: Professor Thomas Johnson, Johns Hopkins University Professor Seth Blackshaw, Johns Hopkins University Professor Jeff Mumm, Johns Hopkins University Professor Donald Zack, Johns Hopkins University Professor Kannan Rangaramanujam, Johns Hopkins University These partnerships will leverage decades of expertise in retinal biology, regeneration, and neuroscience, combining strengths to advance the frontiers of vision science. “This project seeks to restore not just the eye, but the ability to see—a goal once thought impossible,” said Dr. Foster. “Together, we are working to fulfill LWVI’s mission: so the world can see.” About Lions World Vision Institute Lions World Vision Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to honoring vision as a basic human right. Our work extends around the globe and includes donor family and recipient support, advanced tissue preparation for transplant cases, innovative research and technology development, eye bank and surgeon training programs, pediatric vision services, and community-based education in local and international communities for those who are visually impaired. With our worldwide ecosystem of eye banks, surgeons, and research leaders, we work tirelessly to honor a donor’s gift by protecting and supporting sight restoration for hundreds of thousands of people—transforming lives around the world…. So the world can see. For more information about Lions World Vision Institute, please visit www.LWVI.org
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TAMPA, FL — December 9, 2024 — Lions World Vision Institute (LWVI) is proud to announce the return of its beloved VIP² Holiday Party for Very Important People who are Visually Impaired People. As the nation’s largest cornea recovery non-profit, LWVI provides the gift of sight for recipients across the country and around the world. The LWVI Foundation is dedicated to advancing pediatric vision initiatives, supporting visually impaired children and their families through year-round programs and resources. Together, these efforts reflect a shared mission to improve vision and transform lives worldwide. In addition to its year-round efforts, LWVI spreads extra holiday cheer through the VIP² Holiday Party. Hosted in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools, this heartwarming celebration brings joy to local 1st - 5th graders who are blind or visually impaired. The celebration includes a visit from Santa, personalized gifts, and holiday crafts. This year’s event will take place on Wednesday, December 18th, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at LWVI’s Ybor City headquarters. Since the program began in 2005, LWVI has fulfilled the holiday wishes of over 1,000 visually impaired children, creating moments of joy and connection that last a lifetime.  “Through our pediatric vision work, we’re committed to enhancing the lives of children with visual impairments all year long,” said Jason Woody, CEO of Lions World Vision Institute. “We also support donors and families across seven states, including Florida, Washington, and Pennsylvania, to leave a legacy of sight. During the holidays, we take the opportunity to further our mission by brightening the lives of children and spreading the joy of the season.” LWVI staff from around the country make this tradition possible by selecting “hearts” with each child’s name and holiday wish, ensuring every child feels special and celebrated. The VIP² Holiday Party reflects LWVI’s ongoing dedication to supporting the blind and visually impaired community, creating meaningful impact through partnerships, vision care programs, and celebrations like these. For more information about LWVI and its mission, visit www.lwvi.org. MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES: Photos/Video: Capture the joy as visually impaired children meet Santa, open gifts, and participate in holiday crafts. Interviews: Speak with LWVI staff, parents, and teachers from the Hillsborough County Public Schools about the impact of the event. WHEN: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. WHERE: Lions World Vision Institute 2nd-Floor Ballroom 1410 N. 21st St. Tampa, FL 33605   PRESS CONTACT: Tenaya Wallace 310-359-3631 Tenaya@crowdadvocacy.net  About Lions World Vision Institute Lions World Vision Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to honoring vision as a basic human right. Our work extends around the globe and includes donor family and recipient support, advanced tissue preparation for transplant cases, innovative research and technology development, eye bank and surgeon training programs, pediatric vision services, and community-based education in local and international communities for those who are visually impaired. With our worldwide ecosystem of eye banks, surgeons, and research leaders, we work tirelessly to honor a donor’s gift by protecting and supporting sight restoration for hundreds of thousands of people—transforming lives around the world…. So the world can see. For more information about Lions World Vision Institute, please visit www.LWVI.org.
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It’s a rare occasion when a donor family member gets the opportunity to meet a donor recipient, but a touching moment happened in Tampa, Florida

https://www.wfla.com/bloom-tampa-bay/a-mothers-touching-story-of-seeing-her-son-through-a-young-donor-recipient/
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Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research in Tampa is taking on a new name after joining forces with SightLife in Seattle. https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2023/05/05/tampas-lions-eye-institute-joins-forces.html
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Jerry and Marie Woody have transported thousands of donated corneas to help patients across Florida. But this trip was like no other.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2022/04/05/after-daughters-death-tampa-parents-deliver-her-donated-cornea/
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The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has granted Lions World Vision Institute $300,000 to improve vision outcomes for children under five. Through this grant, Lions World Vision Institute will establish a Pediatric Vision Association (PVA).

https://lwvi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/PVA-Press-Release.pdf
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The Vinik Family Foundation has donated $50,000 to the Lions World Vision Institute for Transplant & Research Foundation.

https://patch.com/florida/southtampa/vinik-foundation-pledges-50k-champion-kids-vision-health?web=1&wdLOR=c869924C5-F152-4F32-B404-1A3A16AF0815 
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JL Bielon, Executive Director of Lions World Vision Institute Foundation joins Gayle Guyardo, the host of the nationally syndicated health and wellness show Bloom about how the Lions World Vision Institute’s Vision Health Programs are expanding to serve more elementary school children. https://www.wfla.com/bloom/lions-eye-institutes-vision-health-programs-expand-to-provide-free-eye-exams-and-glasses-for-elementary-school-children-in-need/
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