This time of the year is synonymous with the overwhelming feeling of caring about someone other than ourselves. The happiness and joy of others is either chosen or forced upon us with the goal of trying to find that perfect gift that will bless someone and bring you that victorious smile that says, “Job well done…”

It’s always been hard to try and describe what the holidays mean to me or how they make me feel in a single sentence, however I think I’ve come to realize we all love to experience what I like to call, “The Linus Blanket Effect.” We all love Charlie Brown and the never-ending struggle that Charlie Brown has to win the affection of Lucy or even to just kick the football…just once. However, Linus is an insecure little boy that will not go anywhere without his blanket. I specifically remember one show where Linus lost his blanket and was pretty much unable to function without it. The part that I remember most is WHEN Linus found his blanket again and he wrapped his little arms around that blanket, he felt those “warm-fuzzies” all over of contentment and peace that everything is right with the world again.

I get those “warm-fuzzies” when I think about the holidays and the memories that I have experienced with friends and family. The ability to just close my eyes and think about them brings such joy to my heart. But, you know it does bring a bit of sadness to my heart when I remember that there are countless people that are not able to look their family or friends in the face and get that mental snap-shot of that “special moment” and experience the “Linus Blanket Effect” because they can not see.

During this time of the year, in honor of your ability to experience the “Linus Blanket Effect,” consider giving the gift of “warm-fuzzies” by either a financial contribution or by signing up to be an eye-donor.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts and I pray that everyone has a very blessed holiday season.

Merry Christmas,

Doyce Williams

I am 41 years old, a wife, a mother of two, and the youngest of three daughters belonging to a wonderful lady that you also now share a part of. I was so excited to hear that both of our mother’s corneas were used and that someone now has the Gift of Sight because of her. Just knowing that a small part of her lives on means so much. Losing someone you love is never easy, but knowing that two lives were touched in such a special way really does lessen the pain.

We received a portrait of our mother last week and her eyes were really twinkling. My wish for you is that the twinkle in her eyes will shine on through you for many years to come. God bless you and your family. Sincerely, A Grateful Donor’s Daughter

The Alabama Eye Bank (AEB) recently recognized the UAB Hospital Neurosciences ICU (NICU) for its exceptional work in helping provide the gift of sight. The AEB honored the unit with a breakfast program.

“We are pleased to recognize the NICU staff for the services given to the eye bank and on behalf of all those who are recipients of their efforts,” says Teresa Ham, director of administration at the AEB.

Ham says the NICU staff consistently demonstrate a strong commitment to the cause of eye donation and a willingness to go the second mile to ensure those suffering from corneal blindness are given an opportunity to see again.

“Public awareness and education are crucial in improving family response and acceptance of eye donation,” says NICU Nurse Manager Larry W. Dean, RN. “The AEB routinely educates the staff on current practices and procedures for eye donation.”

AEB ranks fourth in the nation among eye banks in the number of tissues recovered and among the top 10 in this category for more than 30 years.

About Alabama Eye Bank

While eye banks have operated in the state since the 1950s, the Alabama Eye Bank (AEB) was formed in 1969 and reorganized in 1984. Once located in the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital and operated in affiliation with Lions Club International, the AEB is a freestanding entity, accredited by the Eye Bank Association of America. It has 16,000 square-feet of space at its Birmingham headquarters and has satellite locations in Mobile, Huntsville, and Montgomery, as well as experienced technicians located in Dothan and Auburn. Employing some 50 individuals, AEB is poised to act on incoming calls from hospitals and other facilities throughout the state when donor eyes become available.

original post date: UAB Synopsis, Vol. 29, No. 45, December 15, 2010

ref: University of Alabama-Birmingham website

Elected were: George Hackney, chairman; William Counce, PhD, vice-chairman; Robert Field, treasurer; and Andrews Velasquez, MD, secretary.

“We’re so pleased to have these gentleman directing our board for the next two years.  They bring a wealth of experience and business acumen to the table,” Doyce Williams, president and CEO, said.

Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D., is the chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He also serves as director of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and is holder of the Kathleen and Stanley J. Glaser chair in Ophthalmology. Dr. Alfonso is known for his clinical expertise and research in eye diseases, corneal surgery and ocular microbiology. He is a physician, surgeon, professor and researcher,

Dr. Alfonso is an internationally known expert on ocular infectious diseases, and he is the medical director of Bascom Palmer’s Ocular Microbiology Laboratory. His research interests include bacterial and fungal sensitivity; and the development and clinical applications of keratoprosthesis, an artificial cornea, which has significant potential for patients awaiting transplants in developing nations where donor tissue is often scarce.

AEB Executive Director Doyce Williams said, “AEB has enjoyed a long and satisfying relationship with this outstanding organization, a relationship that has expanded and enhanced the mission for restored vision in Alabama, the United States and worldwide. The growth in professionalism and academic excellence exhibited by the UAB Department of Ophthalmology through corneal surgery techniques, procedures and research is further enhanced by a unified effort involving many diverse organizations, all with the noble goal of restoring sight. AEB is grateful for its participation.”

Williams said AEB, which has ranked among the top 10 Eye Banks in the world in corneal tissue recovery for more than two decades, realizes that an effective eye bank is dependent upon the academic quality of vision scientists, ophthalmologists and the support of ancillary professors. To that end, the Eye Bank believes this series will continue to encourage, foster and strengthen the goal to provide greater care to the vision impaired and blind throughout the world.

“Judge Martin has meant so much to the Eye Bank’s mission and work. We have been privileged to have him serve with us. His commitment to ensuring the gift of sight is available to everyone who needs it has been admirable, “ AEB president and CEO Doyce Williams said.

AEB Chief of Administration Teresa Ham presented Judge Martin with an inscribed clock, telling the judges at the annual meeting that Martin was well known as “a hard worker with a 110 percent attitude.” Judge Martin has been a probate judge for 22 years and served as a funeral director and embalmer at the Martin Funeral Home in Clanton for 44 years.

Judge Martin has served his hometown of Clanton in many ways over the years. He was a a Clanton city councilman for 16 years, member and past president of the Lions Club, a member of the Gideons, Alabama Probate Judges Association and National College of Probate Judges. He also served as chairman of the local Red Cross Board. He was the Clanton Advertiser‘s Citizen of the Year in 2004.

AEB is a nonprofit charitable organization and one of the most prolific eye banks in the world in tissue recovered, remaining in the top 10 for more than 30 years. In 2007 the company began Global Sight Network, a network of partner eye banks, dedicated to sending specially formulated corneas worldwide. On Aug. 1, AEB started Precision Corneal Graft, a company that prepares customized corneas for transplant. The Eye Bank’s headquarters is located in Birmingham with regional offices in Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery.

Chen, MD, PhD, a US-trained corneal surgeon and scientist, is director of Cornea and Ocular Surface Diseases Service. He is also is director of Free Cataract Service at the Eye Hospital and Department of Ophthalmology at WenZhou Medical College and executive director of Wenzhou Eye Bank.

Chen is on a two-day trip this week to Birmingham and will lead a medical delegation to meet with AEB officials to further discuss opportunities for advancing eye care in China and tour the AEB facility. The purpose of Chen’s trip is to establish a regular mechanism for providing donor corneas to the eye hospital at Wenzhou.

For the past year, Chen and his colleagues have worked with the eye bank on research to develop better methods for preserving corneas for newer surgeries that replace only the front part of the cornea, when the back part is still healthy. This research was funded by the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) and awarded to the Alabama Eye Bank in a competitive review process.

Traveling with Chen is Chen Zhong, deputy editor-in-chief, Wenzhou Metropolitan Daily, who will learn about the role that local media can play in public education about eye donation and Zhou ZhongDe, secretary-general of HuaFu Charity Foundation. ZhongDe will learn about how U.S. eye banks and indigent eye care are funded.

A native of Wenzhou, Chen received his medical degree in his home province and specialist training in renowned ophthalmic centers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Center in Boston and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Williams said many diseases and conditions affecting the cornea can be corrected surgically by corneal transplant surgery. Chen and his colleagues are part of the rising generation of Chinese surgeons determined to bring the miracle of modern corneal surgery to a large population in great need of it.

“Assuming disease prevalence rates like those in the US, there should be 50 times more procedures a year performed in China than now. Chen’s plan is to help educate more surgeons in new methods and to grow a indigenous Chinese eye banking system by learning from the successes of US eye banks,” Williams said.

Wenzhou is a city of almost 2 million residents in Zheijiang Province, located on the east coast of China and known for its entrepreneurial spirit.