For Rick and Mary Ann Randall, giving back has never been an abstract concept—it's personal, shaped by lived experience and a deep understanding of what the gift of sight truly means.
As longtime contributors to Eversight and passionate advocates for sight restoration, their generosity has touched lives across Michigan and around the world. And through their future planned giving, their impact will carry forward for generations.
Rick’s connection to Eversight, then known as the Michigan Eye Bank, began more than two decades ago, when he received his first cornea transplant in 2003 after a diagnosis of Fuchs’ dystrophy, a progressive condition that causes fluid to build up in the cornea.
At the time, Rick was running a title company—work that demanded sharp vision and accuracy. As his Fuchs' dystrophy progressed, daily tasks became more difficult, affecting different areas of his life.
“I needed to review legal documents which required me using a magnifying glass to read them,” Rick said. “I was unable to renew my driver’s license, I couldn’t pass the vision test. So those kinds of things made it very plain that I needed to do something and the transplant was the key.”
Since then, Rick has undergone three cornea transplants—one full-thickness transplant in his right eye, followed by two Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) procedures, which are partial transplants, in both eyes.
Rick's wife, Mary Ann, experienced his journey through two lenses: as his partner and as a professional who spent her career working with blind and visually impaired students.
"I had a lot of experience with blindness, partial sightedness, the whole spectrum," she said.
Watching Rick's early recovery was difficult, especially following the full-thickness transplant.
"It was painful and there was a lot he couldn't do," she shared. "I could relate to that because I'd seen so much of it in my career."
When Rick had his second and third transplants using the DSAEK method, she saw the difference immediately.
"I was really surprised from the second surgery how quickly it went and not nearly as much pain or discomfort."
Rick and Mary Ann speak warmly and often about the people who supported his care—especially David Verdier, MD, who performed all three of Rick's transplants.
"He's an inspiration," Mary Ann said. "We're grateful to him for what he has done for Rick."
The experience changed how Rick moves through the world. He and Mary Ann love to travel and visit incredible sights around the world, something he wouldn't have been able to enjoy without the generosity of three donors and their families.
"The gift of sight is something that I used to take for granted, and I don't anymore. That's for sure," he reflected.
Over the years, the Randalls' philanthropic contributions have grown alongside their deepening understanding of Eversight's mission and expanding global work.
"In the beginning, it was mostly we wanted to share and help others who maybe couldn't afford it or needed help in getting the transplants," Rick said. "Since then, it's evolved. We've been very interested in some of the international programs and very interested in the new KLAL-Pro. We're very supportive of that."
Mary Ann added, "I'm quite blown away by the international work Eversight does, that they train other surgeons in other countries. I just think that's phenomenal."
Their most recent gift supports both Eversight's clinical work and the innovative KLAL-Pro allograft—a cutting-edge approach to treating limbal stem cell deficiency.
For Mary Ann, the motivation is simple: "We want to make life better for people who are younger than we are. We want to improve their lives."
The Randalls' commitment to change lives extends beyond their lifetime. By including Eversight in their will, they are ensuring that the advancements that restored Rick's vision will continue for decades to come.
"We don't have children," Mary Ann explained. "We belong to our local community foundation, and they're big on paying it forward. I think that was where we first got the idea to do it. We need to spread it around."
Rick added simply, "We trust Eversight to use it well."
Their hope for their legacy is clear: "Continuing the research and helping to improve people's vision. That's the key."
Rick and Mary Ann embody what it means to turn gratitude into action. Their story is one of restored sight, shared purpose and unwavering generosity—rooted in the belief that everyone deserves the chance to see the world clearly.
Through their giving, they are shaping breakthroughs in corneal transplantation, expanding access to care around the world and ensuring that people they will never meet will receive the same life-changing gift Rick did.
Their impact is already profound. Their legacy will be immeasurable.
If Rick and Mary Ann's story inspires you, you can help make sight possible for people in need today and for generations to come. Your gift—whether a one-time contribution, a monthly commitment or a planned gift—supports innovation, drives research forward and opens the door to restored vision for patients around the world.