The Eye Bank of Kentucky

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth from EBKY! ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏼

Today, with Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation and the rest of the transplantation community, we recognize Juneteenth.

Also known as "Freedom Day", Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States.

While we celebrate freedom for Black people in our nation, it is also important that we reflect on the uncomfortable history of this country, and continue the work of making a "more perfect union" for everyone.

06/18/2026

Happy 8-Year Workiversary to our amazing Office Manager, Brittney Twigg!

For eight years, Brittney has been a steady presence behind the scenes, keeping our operations running smoothly and supporting our team, donor families, and partners with care, professionalism, and dedication.

This year has brought one of the biggest projects in EBKY's history as we prepare to move into our very own space. Through every detail, challenge, and unexpected hiccup, Brittney has handled the transition with remarkable grace and efficiency. Her ability to stay organized, adapt quickly, and keep things moving forward has made this process feel effortless.

As the second-longest serving team member at EBKY, Brittney's commitment and leadership continue to make a lasting impact on our organization.

Thank you for eight incredible years, Brittney! We're grateful for all you do and excited for the next chapter ahead. 💙

06/12/2026

The gift of cornea donation has always been about helping others, but not everyone has always had the equal opportunity to become a donor.
In the 90’s, federal regulations prevented many gay men from donating due to a male-to-male s*x deferral policy. This policy stated that gay men who had been s*xually active in the 5 years preceding their deaths were not eligible for cornea and tissue donation, creating barriers for those who wished to leave a legacy through donation and limiting opportunities to restore sight and improve lives.
Today, largely in part because of the advocacy efforts of Legalize Gay Eyes and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the deferral period has been reduced to 12 months! 🎉
While barriers remain, progress has been made in helping to create a more informed and inclusive donation system while maintaining the safety standards that protect recipients.
This Pride Month, we honor those who have worked to advance equality, research, and education, and are proud to be partners and allies in organ, eye, and tissue donation! 🏳️‍🌈👁️♥️

American Academy of Ophthalmology

06/08/2026

Happy Pride Month from EBKY!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

In the community, love is love. Who you love doesn't change your ability to save lives through organ donation. Register your decision to be a donor at RegisterMe.org and share your decision with your community and friends! 💙💚🏳️‍🌈

06/01/2026

It's , and today we're spotlighting our team members who are heading out to the EBAA's Annual Conference this week: Chuck, Jared, Nicole, Mariah, Jordan, and Jonathan!

Every year, the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) brings together corneal surgeons and eye banking professionals from across the country to share knowledge, advancements in donation and transplantation, and strengthen the partnerships that make the gift of sight possible.

Representing EBKY this year is a team of dedicated professionals whose work supports every step of the donation journey, including:

-Charles "Chuck" Pivoney CEBT, President
-Jared Pappas, Interim Director, Clinical Services
-Nicole Wilson, Manager, Donor and Client Services
-Mariah Horn CEBT, Clinical Staff Development Coordinator
-Jonathan Collins CEBT, Tissue Processing Specialist
-Jordan Edelen CEBT, Eye Bank Technician

Don't be a stranger- stop and chat with us if you see us at the conference. We're excited and looking forward to connecting with corneal surgeons, fellow eye banking professionals, and partners as we work together to advance the field and honor the gift of cornea donation!

05/29/2026

👁️ It's Fun Fact Friday!
Did you know that some glaucoma surgeries use donor tissue to help protect the eye?
During glaucoma shunt surgery, doctors place a tiny drainage device in the eye to help lower pressure and protect vision. To keep that device safely covered, surgeons often use patch grafts made from donated corneal or scleral tissue.
It’s one more incredible way the gift of donation helps restore and protect sight every day!

05/22/2026

We love getting to see donation in action!

Your support in fundraising efforts like KY Gives Day helps EBKY increase our ability to provide tissue to eye banks, surgeons, researchers, and training programs around the world. 🌏

Earlier this May, donor tissue provided by EBKY was used in two international surgical wet labs hosted by the Veneto Eye Bank Foundation (Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto ETS) in collaboration with the ESASO Foundation. These advanced training sessions provide invaluable hands-on education, where every opportunity to learn and collaborate helps expand knowledge and refine care.

Through donation, education, and collaboration, together we are helping advance the future of eye banking and sight-restoring care around the world.

05/13/2026

THANK YOU! 💙

Because of generous contributors during KY Gives Day, we not only reached our $5k goal, but we exceeded it!

Your contributions help us continue honoring donor heroes, supporting donor families, advancing education and outreach, and bringing the gift of sight to those in need.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who donated, shared, encouraged, and supported our mission yesterday. We truly could not do this work without you.

Thank you to our contributors:
Glenn Acree
Katie Buster
Sara Callaway
Matthew Goldberg
Thomas Matney
Judy & David Moose
Kathie & John Morrow
Jared Pappas
Charles Pivoney
Karin & Joern Soltau
Lenna Soltau
Pat Summers
Brittney Twigg
MC Welding

05/12/2026

That's right! We're almost to our $5k goal! 🌟

A big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported EBKY and our mission to restore sight through transplantation, research, and education.

Power Hour is happening NOW through 8PM! Contributions made during this hour give us the chance to win additional bonus funding. Every contribution helps us expand access to cornea care, support research, honor donor families, and continue restoring sight across Kentucky and beyond.

If you've been waiting for the right time to give, this is it!

Click Here: https://www.kygives.org/organizations/eye-bank-of-kentucky

05/12/2026

Today is KY Gives Day!🎉

Help the Eye Bank of Kentucky with its mission to restore sight through corneal transplantation, research, and education!

We are the only eye bank in Kentucky, helping hundreds with sight-restoring cornea transplants each year. We support cutting-edge research and empower surgeons with solutions that make vision care more effective and accessible.

This work extends far beyond our state lines. This year, through a partnership with Kentucky corneal surgeon Dr. Seema Capoor and her annual mission trip to La Familia Eye Center, we were able to provide free donated corneal tissue to 8 individuals who had waited years for the chance to see again.

We also contribute to national research efforts, including studies examining how conditions like diabetes affect the cornea. This research is critical because diabetes impacts millions of people and can lead to vision complications, slower healing, and long-term eye health challenges. Advancing this understanding helps improve surgical outcomes and protect vision for patients everywhere.

Every day, we work to honor the incredible gift of donation from donors and their families while building a future where sight restoration is more accessible to all.

💙 Today, we are raising $5,000 to continue expanding this mission — including:

• Expanding the Judy Tincher Fund, which provides financial relief for those facing barriers to cornea care
• Establishing our first independent office space
• Growing our Donor Family Program and creating an art installation honoring donor heroes and their families
• Expanding participation in groundbreaking corneal research
• Strengthening our education and outreach programs

Every contribution helps restore sight, support families, advance research, and expand access to care.

Join us today for KY Gives Day - every gift makes a difference!💙

‼️Click Here to Contribute: https://www.kygives.org/organizations/eye-bank-of-kentucky