Ronald Reagan

“ I urge all citizens, health care professionals, educators, and other public and private organizations concerned with vision and vision research to join with the Nation's eye banks in recognizing this humanitarian cause with appropriate activities. ”

“ One of the most magnificent presents that one human being can bestow upon another is the gift of sight. Human eye tissue which is donated at death may be used in research and cornea transplant operations. Each year, thousands of Americans suffer from impaired vision caused by congenital defects, injuries, and diseases. ”

“ The eye banks help coordinate the nationwide distribution of donated eye tissue for use in medical education, continuing research efforts, and cornea transplants. Developing from a single institution in 1944, the eye banks have greatly encouraged research into the prevention and treatment of eye disease and helped increase national awareness of the urgent need for more eye donations, so that others may receive the gift of sight. ”