Linda Sharper – Eye Bank of Canada

Linda chose to introduce herself with a timely reflection of her own experience as a daughter of a war veteran. She jokingly says she passed her teething stage on his war medals! For the majority of the time the medals were kept in storage but when she turned 18, her father took one of his war medals, attached a chain to it, and gave it to her. The same was done when her sister turned 18. “We forget what happened during the wars” says Linda.
Today, she is the Manager of the Eye Bank of Canada which was started 55 years ago as a joint effort of The Canadian National Institute for the Blind and the Canadian Ophthalmologic Society. Linda was previously a medical lab technologist before taking on her new role of promoting eye donations.
Every year, people across Canada whose eyes have been damaged by disease or injury continue to wait for the corneal transplants that could restore their sight. Only a fraction receive the help they need, because there simply isn’t enough corneal tissue available. You can help change that – by becoming an eye donor.

The cornea is the thin layer of clear tissue that covers the front of the eye. It acts like a window, protecting the eye from injury and directing light rays to the retina – the “screen” at the back of the eye where images form. If the cornea is scarred or damaged, it turns cloudy, blocking the passage of light and causing images to become blurry and confused. The result is blindness.

Any person can be struck by corneal blindness, from newborns to the elderly. Sight can be restored with a corneal transplant: a simple operation that replaces damaged tissue with a clear, healthy cornea from an eye donor. The effect is much like replacing a frosted window pane with clear glass – the recipient can see again. Corneal transplants have a remarkable 90 percent success rate over the long term.

Across Canada, regional Eye Banks maintain lists of surgeons who need corneal tissue for patients. When an eye donation is made, the Eye Bank prepares the tissue, ensures it is suitable for transplant, then has it transported to the hospital. Most corneal transplants are done within a day or two of the donor tissue becoming available.

Every transplantable cornea is used. Other donated eyes are used for training doctors in surgical technique and for vital research into eye diseases such as glaucoma.

Almost anyone can be an eye donor. Even if you wear glasses or have poor vision or have a condition such as cataracts, you still may have the healthy cornea that can help another person see.

It is crucial that you tell your family about your decision to donate your eyes. At the time of death, they may be asked to confirm your consent. If they understand clearly what your wishes are, they will be able to follow them. Your family can help make sure your generous gift is not overlooked. Please remember, recording your donation in a Will is not enough. By the time a Will is read, it is too late to use a cornea for transplant.

Attendance

On this day, there were 31 in attendance, 29 members, 1 guest, and our speaker. President Mike introduced Alex Boutros, who has been recently published.

Remembrance Day Tribute

President Mike in recognition of Remembrance Day gave a little history of the poem and then read aloud the Flander’s Fields poem followed by a moment of silence.

In Flander's Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flander's fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, tho poppies grow
In Flander's fields.

Nominations for 2010/2011 Board of Directors

President Mike announced the following slate, as put together by the nominating committee, for next year’s Board of Directors:

• President Bruce Pettit
• Past President Michael Murton

• Secretary Geoff Dean
• Treasurer Buddy Ibe

• Director Lina Demirjian
• Director Gary MacGregor
• Director Adam McBrain
• Director Chris Musselman
• Director Victor Shastri

Mike then called for nominations from the floor and received the following nominations for directors:
• Audrey McCaskill nominated by Don Hall and seconded by Chris Musselman
• Sydney Baxter-Dennis nominated by Gerard Baribeau and seconded by Mike Cooksey

Bruce called for the nominations to be closed and this was seconded by Gene.

President Mike then announced that an election will be held on December 8. Mike further explained that the positions of President and Past President are automatically by acclamation and as there were no nominations from the floor for Secretary and Treasurer these positions are also acclaimed.

Subsequent to the above slate being presented, Past President Victor decided to withdraw his nomination. The Board thanks Victor for his contribution to the Board during his tenure. The remaining slate of Directors will stand for election.

Announcements

Audrey McCaskill announced that this week was the final week for orders of Cakes and/or Hams. Pick-up is December 1st at the Club.

Woods Cunningham Wheel

Our guest speaker Linda spun the wheel and Judy held the winning number 1. Judy then attempted to land the Ace but came up short with the King of Hearts!

Sergeant-at-Arms - Gerard Baribeau

Pat paid a sad buck for being tardy.

Audrey paid a happy buck for starting her Christmas wrapping!

Don paid a happy buck because he will be dining out this weekend to celebrate an anniversary.

Jimmy paid a happy buck because he was able to produce his own Club badge and therefore wouldn’t be fined by the Sergeant-at-Arms who is “hard on old people!”

Donna had 3 happy bucks: 1, her youngest son’s wedding was amazing and she was happy that the newlyweds are now home from their honeymoon, 2, this past weekend, her other son got engaged and 3, thanks to Hugh and many others for their contribution to the war.

Chris was grateful to Hugh as well because he lent her the lunch fee when she discovered she had no money or lunch ticket!

Mike C. paid a happy buck because his youngest son was turning 16 and consequently was getting a new car!

Albino paid a sad buck for wearing a Poppy but was happy to celebrate his wife’s and grandson’s birthday.

Josie paid a happy to celebrate Ann’s birthday tomorrow.

Anne was grateful to God for allowing her to live to this golden age and jokingly announced that she was now referencing her age in Celsius instead of Fahrenheit!

Bruce thanked yours truly, who is stepping down from the Board next year, for his service for the past 4 years.

President Mike paid a sad buck for missing last Friday’s President’s night but claimed he was at Aretha Franklin’s concert.

Don paid a happy buck for the great organization of the President’s night by Audrey and her Club Service committee.

Celebrations

Member’s Resignations

It is with regrets that the Board announces it has accepted the resignations of Dave Brown and Moe Horenfeldt.

The Board thanks them for their contributions to the Club.

Upcoming Meetings -to update your information, e-mail Gary at garymac@clarkehenning.com

Duty Roster