All news & events

Partnering for progress
Sep 17, 2025
When Ashley Vanderdonck first joined Midwest Eye-Banks, now Eversight, in 2009, she never imagined the path her career would take. At the time, she had recently lost her job in the trucking industry and was attending school for radiology. But a call from her stepmother, Kim Traczyk, who works at... read more
When Ashley Vanderdonck first joined Midwest Eye-Banks, now Eversight, in 2009, she never imagined... read more
Strengthening corneal care in Ukraine through knowledge, collaboration & hope
Sep 16, 2025
By Carrie Masson, Global Development Director Editor’s note: Quotes have been clarified as English is not our partners’ primary language. In the quiet of a processing suite in Ann Arbor, Mich., three Ukrainian ophthalmologists closely observed as Eversight technicians demonstrated advanced... read more
By Carrie Masson, Global Development Director Editor’s note: Quotes have been clarified as... read more
Restoring sight and building sustainability in Eswatini
Aug 27, 2025
For one young engineer in Eswatini, a landlocked country to the east of South Africa, life was becoming increasingly difficult. He had severe keratoconus, a condition that causes the cornea to thin and bulge outward, and he could no longer tolerate contact lenses. “He saved up money, traveled to... read more
For one young engineer in Eswatini, a landlocked country to the east of South Africa, life was... read more
A return to Guatemala City: Collaboration and compassion drive sight restoration
Aug 18, 2025
In May 2025, Eversight supported a second medical service trip to Guatemala City, continuing a growing partnership to expand access to vision care for those in need. With donated corneal tissue from Eversight, Charles Bouchard, MD and his team performed another 10 sight-restoring... read more
In May 2025, Eversight supported a second medical service trip to Guatemala City, continuing a... read more
Global sight restoration: Abu-Bakar Zafar, MD’s life-changing medical service trip to Pakistan
Aug 8, 2025
Earlier this year, Abu-Bakar Zafar, MD traveled from Champaign, Illinois to Karachi, Pakistan for a medical service trip that would leave a lasting impact—not only on the patients he treated, but on himself as a surgeon, teacher and human being. From April 24 to May 3, 2025, Dr. Zafar joined... read more
Earlier this year, Abu-Bakar Zafar, MD traveled from Champaign, Illinois to Karachi, Pakistan for a... read more
Partners through it all
Jul 16, 2025
Paula Lefkowitz's journey with Fuchs dystrophy began in the early 1990s. “I've had vision troubles all my life and one of the big problems I have, which is not necessarily helped by this, is my vision varies tremendously,” Paula said. “You could test me now and five minutes from now. It'd be... read more
Paula Lefkowitz's journey with Fuchs dystrophy began in the early 1990s. “I've had vision... read more
Change one life for the better: Ben Bloom’s legacy through research
Jul 1, 2025
Ben Bloom lived with gusto. He was joyful, brilliant and driven—a passionate drummer, a devoted brother and a deep thinker with a contagious sense of humor. He was the kind of person who leaned in when he talked to you, eyes locked, making you feel like you were the most important person in the... read more
Ben Bloom lived with gusto. He was joyful, brilliant and driven—a passionate drummer, a devoted... read more
A miracle in the making: Ellen’s corneal transplant journey
Jun 27, 2025
Ellen Kershenbaum has always loved being active. But after being diagnosed with Fuchs dystrophy—a progressive corneal disease—she needed multiple corneal transplants to regain her vision and independence.  From hiking to CrossFit, she’s the kind of person who finds joy in... read more
Ellen Kershenbaum has always loved being active. But after being diagnosed with Fuchs... read more
A lifetime in sight
Jun 26, 2025
For more than three decades, Kara Kelly has been a steady, compassionate force behind the scenes at Eversight, dedicating her career to helping restore sight and honoring the gift of donation. With a background in both nursing and mortuary science, Kara’s path into eye banking was unconventional,... read more
For more than three decades, Kara Kelly has been a steady, compassionate force behind the scenes at... read more
Cooper Boike’s comeback: A journey through perseverance & the gift of sight
May 23, 2025
For 17-year-old Cooper Boike from Flint, Michigan, basketball is everything. But in February 2024, a single moment changed the game for him. A scratch to the eye during a district championship basketball game turned into a painful, prolonged fight against a parasite—and a battle to save his... read more
For 17-year-old Cooper Boike from Flint, Michigan, basketball is everything. But in February 2024,... read more