Honoring the Gift
of Sight
Join us in improving patient readiness,
reducing avoidable cancellations,
and honoring every Gift of Sight.
Learn about our generous donors, their families, and the shared
responsibility of maximizing every opportunity to restore vision.
Matthew Bunch, Donor / Tampa Fire Rescue
We honor the extraordinary generosity of Matthew, our donors, and their families through responsible tissue stewardship, ensuring every Gift of Sight has the greatest possible opportunity to restore vision and transform a life.
So the World can See.
Resources for Surgeons, Clinical Teams
& Surgical Facilities
Practical tools, policy guidance, patient education materials, and best practices to help surgeons, clinical teams, and surgical facilities improve patient readiness, reduce avoidable cancellations and tissue returns, maximize donor gift utilization, and honor every Gift of Sight.
Policy Documents
Review LWVI’s Cancellation and Returned Tissue Policy and supporting guidance for surgeons, surgery centers, and clinical teams.
LWVI Cancellation and Returned Tissue Policy Overview
A concise overview of LWVI’s Cancellation and Returned Tissue Policy, including billing outcomes, recommended actions when a procedure is canceled, reimbursement support, and resources that help maximize donor gift utilization and reduce avoidable tissue returns.
Cancellation and Returned Tissue Policy – FAQs
A comprehensive reference guide answering common questions about cancellation procedures, billing outcomes, reduced invoice requirements, reimbursement guidance, and best practices for responsible tissue stewardship.
Surgeon & Facility Policy Letter
A letter explaining the purpose of the policy, encouraging early communication, and reinforcing our shared commitment to honoring every donor’s Gift of Sight.
Patient Readiness Resources
Helping patients arrive prepared for surgery is one of the most effective ways to reduce avoidable cancellations and maximize every donor’s Gift of Sight.
✔ Patient Checklist
Prepare patients for surgery with a simple checklist that reinforces important pre-operative instructions.
✔ Surgical Coordinator Checklist
Support a consistent pre-operative workflow and confirm patient readiness before surgery.
📖 Your Vision Journey
Educate patients about corneal transplantation, donor generosity, and their role in honoring the Gift of Sight.
🎗 Patient Reminder Wristbands
Reinforce pre-operative instructions and patient responsibilities with a simple visual reminder.
Request Wristbands
To request wristbands, contact Michele.Malandro@LWVI.org
Tissue Return Resources
If a return cannot be avoided, these resources will help your team return tissue properly while preserving tissue integrity and supporting efficient evaluation. If the tissue is unable to be returned within the specified time frame or not packaged properly for return, the invoice will not be credited.
📦 Tissue Repacking Instructions
Step-by-step instructions for safely preparing tissue for return.
🎥 Tissue Repacking Video
Watch the recommended repacking procedure.
Contact LWVI
If a scheduled procedure is canceled or delayed, contact LWVI before returning tissue. Early communication provides the greatest opportunity to preserve tissue viability, maximize donor gift utilization, and reduce unnecessary costs.
We Can Help You
- Review at-risk surgical cases
- Explore alternatives before tissue is returned
- Answer policy questions
- Assist with reimbursement guidance
- Schedule educational calls or Zoom meetings
Contact Information
Email
contact@lwvi.org
Phone
813-289-1200 ext. 980
With the help of your team and patient compliance, we can reduce avoidable cornea returns to honor every donor’s wish to help those in need, So the World can See.
Contact Michele.Malandro@LWVI.org for more information or to order free LWVI patient wristbands.
If this cornea came from your loved one, how would you want it treated?
At LWVI, we treat every donated cornea with the same care and respect we would want for our own family. Each one represents a powerful act of generosity – and a grieving family’s hope that their loss can bring light to someone else’s life. That’s why we are reaching out with urgency and deep respect:
We need your continued help to prevent avoidable surgical cancellations and the return of transplantable cornea tissue. When a graft is returned – especially if not properly packaged – it’s more than a lost chance to restore sight. It means we must deliver heartbreaking news to a family that their loved one’s gift could not be used. These moments are painful, preventable, and deeply felt.
By following return protocols closely, you help ensure these precious gifts can still change lives.
We know how much you care. Thank you for your partnership, your precision, and your heart.
“Every Cornea Matters; Every Donor Matters in Honoring the Gift of Sight.”
Dr. Benjamin Lambright, LWVI Medical Director, Cornea Transplant Surgeon, and Donor Family Member.
Surgeons and Teams
Please review our Tools for Success to assist with patient compliance and avoidable cornea returns
“The Honoring the Gift of Sight program has made a big difference in our practice. The materials help patients understand the incredible gift of cornea donation and the importance of doing their part to honor it. As a result, we’ve seen stronger patient engagement with pre-op care—and most importantly, more patients are keeping their scheduled surgical appointments. The staff checklists have also been a helpful resource, allowing us to provide consistent, thoughtful care and reinforce key messages throughout the pre-operative process.”
Aarup Kubal, MD
“The Honoring the Gift of Sight program has truly elevated our practice. The materials have helped patients better understand the profound significance of cornea donation, inspiring a deeper sense of gratitude and responsibility. This emotional connection has directly improved patient compliance, with many patients now more committed to following pre and post-operative instructions and protecting the incredible gift they’ve received. Additionally, the structured tools provided—such as staff checklists and talking points—have been a tremendous help to our team. They make it easier to consistently communicate key information, ensure no steps are missed, and keep the entire care process streamlined and compassionate. Most importantly, we’ve seen a reduction in avoidable cornea returns – a testament to how effective these tools are in promoting patient compliance at our practice.”Mark Gorovoy, MD
“Lions World Vision Institute’s Honoring the Gift of Sight program has been invaluable in helping patients understand the compassionate sacrifice behind their corneal transplants. By connecting them to the stories of donor families, it fosters appreciation, increases commitment, and reduces cancellations. This deeper awareness encourages patients to follow through with care and treatment. We’re truly grateful to the donors and families who make the gift of sight possible.”
Emannuel Kai-Lewis, MD
Do you need tissue for your next transplant case?
Let us know what you need, so we can provide tissue processed to your specifications. Already Registered? Login to your account in One World Sight Alliance (OWSA), our online tissue management portal
Chose an option below to register today.