Mission Statement
The Endowment Fund is committed to perpetuate and preserve the ability of the Lions
Eye Bank of Delaware Valley to sustain its operation, and reduce its reliance on tissue
fee income while expanding its services.

What is the Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley?
The Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley is a non-profit organization serving Delaware,
New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania. The Eye Bank recovers eye tissue from
individuals who have chosen to be donors for corneal transplantation, medical
research and education. Since 1957, we have provided the “Gift of Sight” to more
than 30,000 individuals with a corneal transplant.

Why do we need an Endowment Fund?
Although the Eye Bank has been helping to restore sight successfully for 50 years,
modern medical technology and government oversight have changed the way we
operate. While treatments today are much safer and efficient, they are also more
technologically involved and expensive. The Eye Bank will only sustain its
operations with additional outside funding.

What types of programs will the Endowment Fund benefit?
The endowment fund will help us to continue and expand programs that are not
sufficiently financed by our operating income such as: Donor Family and Recipient
support services; Gratis Tissue provided for uninsured, low-income patients; medical
research programs, international programs that help eradicate worldwide blindness;
low-income eye glass assistance programs, local public education initiatives and much
more.

Why should I choose to be a part of this program?
You have to ask yourself, how important is your sight to you! The Eye Bank exists to
help ALL residents of Delaware, New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania. You never
know when you, a family member, friend or neighbor may be in need of a sight saving
transplant. It is important that we all care about preserving the Eye Bank’s ability to
continue to carry out its mission for future generations.

Can I make a difference in the lives of others?
Yes you can! The Lions Eye Bank began with volunteer workers and individual
contributions. Those individual contributions have funded the Gift of Sight Program
for nearly 50 years. The Miracle of Sight happens every day, one person at a time.

PID Gene Polgar Fellow
The highest honor of the Endowment Fund. When an individual or group donates
$1000 or more, they are presented with an inscribed lapel pin and acrylic award that
recognize them as a PID Gene Polgar Fellow. The Fellowship is named for the current
President/COO of the Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley. For more than 25 years, PID
Polgar has overseen the growth and ongoing development of the Lions Eye Bank. His
personal commitment to putting an end to Corneal Blindness has helped make the
Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley one of the most successful Eye Banks in the world,
having provided sight for more than 30,000 individuals, mostly from DE, NJ and
southeast PA.

PID Gene Polgar Progressive
Once you have earned the status of a PID Gene Polgar Fellow, you may extend your
humanitarian commitment to the Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley by participating
in the Progressive Fellowship Program yourself or making a gift contribution to
advance the status of another fellow. For each additional $1000 contribution, a saphire
will be provided that may be affixed to the original inscribed lapel pin. Progressive
Fellows will also be recognized on a permanent donor plaque at the offices
of the Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley.

To support the Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley Endowment Fund and the continuation of the “Gift of Sight” Program, please click here for Credit Card donations.