Illinois Eye-Bank sends Cornea Donor Family and Recipient to Rose Parade – Chicago Tribune

After enduring drastic vision loss for nearly a decade, Cyndy Loula, a Bolingbrook resident, made the decision to undergo cornea transplants in both eyes. Seven years after receiving the diagnosis of keratoconus, an eye disease effecting the shape of the cornea, Cyndy finally received the gift of sight. Not only was her vision restored following the transplants, but she regained her independence and life as an active mom as well.

Cyndy was beyond thankful for her newfound sight from the very beginning. It was a bittersweet gift, however, as she knew the transplants were only possible because others had lost their lives.

“There is no way to really convey the emotions involved as a recipient, at least for me, of a transplant,” says Cyndy. “It is very humbling to benefit from another family’s deep and personal loss.”

Meanwhile, a Champaign family Cyndy had never met was grieving the loss of their son, Caleb, after he passed away in a motorcycle accident. When parents Sheila and Terry Walters received the news of their son’s death their world turned upside down. Not only was the couple suddenly faced with the reality of losing their son, but they also needed to make a decision about Caleb becoming an eye, organ and tissue donor.

Sheila and Terry courageously chose to pursue donation, and Caleb gave the amazing gift of sight to two people. With help from the Illinois Eye-Bank, Caleb’s corneas provided sight-restoring transplants to both a man and a woman suffering from corneal blindness.

Curated from Illinois Eye-Bank sends Cornea Donor Family and Recipient to Rose Parade – Chicago Tribune