MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital receives SightLife Vision Award for excellence in cornea donation

By MultiCare Health System

MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital has been named a recipient of the SightLife Vision Award for exceptional performance as well as demonstrated commitment to cornea donation and advocacy.

Last year 155 individuals received sight-restoring transplants because of donations made possible through Tacoma General’s efforts. Tacoma General is among three hospitals in Western Washington to receive the award, which is presented to SightLife’s top hospital partners.

“I am extremely proud of our team’s efforts to educate our patients and families about corneal donations, and to know that we have positively impacted so many lives,” says Sharon Oxendale, interim President and Chief Operating Officer of Tacoma General. “It is an honor for us to be recognized, and we appreciate the teamwork and partnership we have with SightLife to ensure that donor’s wishes are realized.”

MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital achieved a cornea donation conversion rate of 72% in 2017, according to SightLife, a global health organization focused on eliminating corneal blindness in the U.S. and around the world by 2040. Tacoma General providers work closely with SightLife liaisons to ensure that as many families as possible have the opportunity to donate and give the gift of sight. This collaboration ensures that each wish to donate is fulfilled.

“It’s because of the tireless efforts and collaboration of our partners like Tacoma General that together we were able to give the gift of sight through cornea donation to 155 individuals in 2017,” said Claire Bonilla, CEO of SightLife. “This wouldn’t be possible without the generous decision made by donors and their families who gave their support even in their darkest hour of losing a loved one.”

Millions of people around the world live in darkness due to corneal blindness, which is the loss of sight caused by disease or damage to the surface of the eye. In addition to meeting 100 percent of the demand in the United States, SightLife works with global eye banks in more than 30 countries.