Simple tasks such as driving, reading, or watching television are all activities most of us enjoy every day without giving much thought.

Yet to someone who has come dangerously close to losing her eyesight, the ability to do these things becomes a gift with greater meaning. A thankful West Virginia University Eye Institute patient whose own vision impairment was corrected has now donated generously to help save the sight of others.

Mae Catherine “Kitty” Reeves, of Baltimore and Westernport, Md., has become the latest inaugural class member of the WVU Eye Institute’s Giving Circle, an opportunity created to engage the leadership and philanthropic support of individuals who want to make a significant contribution to the lives of others who suffer from visual disabilities.

In 2006, the now retired administrative law judge was taken to the emergency room when she suddenly developed double vision while driving. Reeves visited a string of doctors, but none had an explanation for the condition. Eventually, she was referred to the WVU Eye Institute and Judie Charlton, M.D. After two surgeries, Reeves’ vision and life returned to normal.

2010 marked the Giving Circle’s first year. Members’ charitable investments of at least $10,000 are pooled with the contributions of other Giving Circle donors to make a substantial impact on the programs and services offered by the WVU Eye Institute. Each year, the combined funding is awarded to one or multiple Eye Institute programs, benefitting patient care, outreach, research, and/or education.

Each year, the WVU Eye Institute sees approximately 31,000 patients from all 55 counties in West Virginia at its Morgantown facility and various outreach clinics around the state. The clinics provide diagnosis, treatment and specialized medical and surgical care for vision conditions and diseases that without attention, could sometimes lead to long-term vision loss.

To learn more about the WVU Eye Institute’s Giving Circle, please contact Paul Daugherty, director of development, at 304-598-4843 or eyedevelopment@wvuhealthcare.com.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Amy Johns, HSC News Service
304-293-7087; johnsa@wvuh.com