Tuesday is National Donor Day
Five years ago, Judy Voegel was diagnosed with an eye disease that attacks cells in the corneal layer. Her doctors told the Poseyville, Indiana resident that she needed a double cornea transplant or she’d go blind.
Today, she can see all the world’s beautiful colors again. Voegel can read without using a magnifying glass. And she can again work with a microscope in her job as a longtime registered veterinary nurse. “My donor hero didn’t save my life. But they sure did make a huge impact on my life,” she said. “My donor hero changed my life and that is something I’ll never take for granted.”
Tuesday is Valentine’s Day. It’s also National Donor Day – a day to recognize people like Voegel’s donor whose gifts restored her sight and a day to spread awareness about how organ and tissue donations save and heal lives.
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Judy Voegel’s vision was deteriorating rapidly.
At 54, the Poseyville, Indiana resident was diagnosed with Fuchs’ dystrophy, a disease of the cornea when cells in the corneal layer gradually die. These cells normally pump fluid from the cornea to keep it clear. When those cells die, fluid builds up and the cornea gets swollen and puffy. Vision
becomes increasingly cloudy or hazy.
Judy’s physician recommended a double cornea transplant, one she had in 2018 in Evansville, Indiana.
“Post-surgery was not pleasant as I had to lay on my back for 36 hours,” she said. “But the outcome was well worth it.”
For a week, Judy said, all she could see was what looked like an air bubble. “But as it, dissipated every day my vision was getting clearer,” she said. “My night vision was very poor prior to surgery. Afterward, I felt like someone turned a light on.”
Today, five years after her transplant surgery, Judy loves seeing things crystal clearly as she navigates life with husband David, their two grown children and two grandchildren. She loves nature watching.
“Snow is white and the sky is a beautiful blue,” she said. “Before, all colors just looked dirty.” She enjoys reading without a magnifying glass.
And she can work with a microscope again in her job as a registered veterinary nurse.
“My donor hero didn’t save my life. But they sure did make a huge impact on my life,” Judy said. “If you’re a registered organ and tissue donor, it’s very important to make sure your family knows your wishes.”
Judy herself is a registered donor.
She started volunteering for Indiana Donor Network in January, helping to staff special events.
“I want to spread the word about the real need for more donors,” Judy said. “Education is key in getting people to sign up. My donor hero changed my life and that’s something I will never take for granted.”