Illinois Eye-Bank and EBAA to Honor Alex Scarbro, Cornea Donor, at Annual Run for Vision

Chicago, IL (October 16, 2014) Held each year, the Run for Vision 5K is an opportunity for members of the
ophthalmology and eye banking communities to come together in support of the Eye Bank Association of Americas
(EBAA) efforts to restore sight worldwide. More than 300 runners participate annually in support of this worthy
cause. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Bausch + Lomb, which underwrites the events costs, 100% of the
proceeds flow to EBAA; in its 29 years, the Run for Vision has raised well over a quarter million dollars to facilitate
corneal transplants.
In addition to being an important charitable fundraiser, the Annual Run for Vision is also an opportunity to remember
the selfless cornea donors who made each transplant possible. This year, Alexandria Scarbro, one such generous
donor, is being honored for giving two people a second chance at sight.
During her 20 years of life Alex was a passionate and charismatic girl, befriending anyone
she met in a matter of minutes. Alexs numerous friends remember her as a caring
person, always going out of her way to make them smile. Even to this day her father,
David Scarbro, cannot believe how many lives Alex touched.
A talented basketball player, Alexs unforgettable charm was as strong on the court as it
was off. Since picking up the sport in fourth grade, Alex was an integral part of every one
of her teams. Alexs skills as a shooting guard earned her a spot on the varsity team at
UW-Whitewater when she was only a freshman, and she was highly regarded by her
teammates and coaches alike.
Alexs passing in November 2012 caught everyone in her life off guard. Her impact on the world, however, was far
from over. Her UW-Whitewater teammates wore AS patches on their jerseys in her honor that season. The team
made it all the way to the Final Four, saying it was Alex who got them there.
Not only that, but Alex donated her corneas and gave two people suffering from corneal blindness the amazing gift of
sight. Alexs eyes were beautiful. They were her best feature. It makes me feel so good to know there is a part of
her that lives on to help others see again, David said about his daughters donation. Alex and I always loved
watching sunsets together, and knowing now that someone else still gets to see those sunsets through her eyes is
pretty awesome.
The Illinois Eye-Bank and EBAA are honoring this remarkable young woman at the 2014 Annual Run for Vision 5K.
Alexs family, friends and hundreds more will come together in Grant Park on Oct. 19 to remember her, and to raise
funds to bring sight to all those in need. To support this important cause or to register as a runner, visit
www.restoresight.org/upcoming-events/runforvision.
For more information about the race, or to interview David Scarbro, please contact Brittany Wright at
(312) 469-5516, or bwright@illinoiseyebank.org.
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The Illinois Eye-Bank, a subsidiary of Midwest Eye-Banks, is a charitable, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and
restoration of sight. The Eye-Bank recovers, evaluates and distributes human eye tissue for transplantation. The organization also supports
research into the causes and cures of all blinding eye conditions, promotes donation awareness through public and professional education and
provides humanitarian assistance to people in need of corneal transplantation throughout the world. For more information, visit the Illinois Eye-
Bank at www.IllinoisEyeBank.org, or call 800-548-4703.
The Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA), established in 1961, is the oldest transplant association in the nation and champions the
restoration of sight through corneal transplantation. Over 80 member eye banks operate in the United States, Canada and Asia. These eye
banks made possible 72,736 sight-restoring corneal transplants in 2013 and the opportunity to perform more transplants is significant because
virtually everyone is a universal donor. The function of corneal tissue is not dependent on blood type, age, strength of eyesight or the color of
the eye. To learn more, visit www.restoresight.org.