Promoting Donation Across Cultures A Perspective from Global

Eye Banking

About Eversight

• Large eye banking organization

• US service areas include Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey and Connecticut

• Provided ~8,000 corneas for transplantation last year

Eversight International

• Places corneas for transplant outside US (~30% of total surgical corneas)

• Provides eye bank development assistance in countries around the world

• Eversight Korea recently launched

• Eversight Abu Dhabi to launch in next 6-12 months

Eversight International Service Areas

• Korea

• UAE

• China

• Egypt

• Morocco

• Tunisia

• Jordan/West Bank

• Pakistan

US vs. Global Eye Banking

• In US, wait lists eliminated. Most eye banks have more corneas than needed for local demand.

• Internationally, most countries lack effective eye banking. Shortages, long wait lists and long wait times are the norm.

An overcrowded ophthalmology clinic in Honduras

Eversight International’s Goal:

Eliminate cornea blindness worldwide by making the Gift

of Sight available in ALL communities we serve

around the world.

Dr. Garrett with clinical staff in Honduras. Eversight affiliates –

Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and Ohio – contributed to provide the 20 corneas for the mission trip

Eye Bank Development

• In the long run, each society needs viable local eye banking capabilities to meet its needs for cornea transplantation

• Donor development is the key to eye bank development – if you don’t have donors, you don’t have an eye bank

Consented Donation

The greatest need is to develop consented donation programs in countries where this is lacking.

The Problem

“Our culture doesn’t support donation.”

What It Really Means:

The message of donation has not yet been effectively conveyed in ways that resonate within

the cultural context of this community.

The Values of Donation Are Universal

• Altruism / Charity / Humanitarianism

• Reciprocity / Fairness / Trust

• The Common Good

The Challenge

To effectively convey the universal message of donation in ways that are tailored to each

particular cultural context.

Example: Confucianism

• A philosophical and ethical belief system common throughout East Asia

• Underlies many facets of East Asian culture

• Co-exists with religions such as Christianity and Buddhism

Filial Piety

• Very important concept in Confucianism

• Respect for one’s elders and ancestors

• The body is a gift from one’s parents – it is not to be damaged

Hong Kong Eye Bank

• Coordinators treat elders with utmost respect

• Extended family is treated as a whole in decision-making

• Long-term perspective

• Relationship building

Example: Islam

• Two differing views within Islamic law

• The human body is sanctified and inviolate

• But prohibitions may be set aside to save another’s life or health

• Diverse legal opinions Diverse personal opinions

Marrakech Eye Bank, Morocco

• Coordinators seek out the influential family members, not necessarily the NOK

• Specific brochure addressing Islamic teaching on donation

• Enlist the aid of religious leaders • Religion is often just an excuse,

especially when time for decision-making is short

The Interconnected World

• Communities in the US are strongly connected to communities in other parts of the world

• What we learn in one community may be very relevant in another, even across borders

• The connections are powerful, and they work in both directions (US and international)

Final Thoughts

• The values of donation are universal

• The message must be tailored to the cultural context

• Cultural connections work powerfully, even across countries

Thank You!

Collin Ross Executive Director

cmross@eversightvision.org

+1(734)887-2312