Each year in the United States there are approximately 120,000 peripheral vascular reconstructive surgical procedures. Of that number 22,000 are secondary or re-operation procedures requiring a substitute vein. Since synthetic substitutes do not perform effectively below the knee, the cryopreserved vein provides vascular surgeons with a limb-saving surgical option. Whole eyes are not transplanted. Donated corneas can restore sight to people who have lost their vision because of illness or injury.
Sclera is used in reconstructive and glaucoma surgery.
Provides human eye tissues for sight-restoring corneal transplants, medical research and education and conducts free public health screenings and provides financial assistance for eye surgery. Since 1956, it has served the communities of Washington D.C. and the Maryland counties of Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George's and St. Mary's. Please call to receive an application to register for whole body donation.