Through Their Eyes: Bryon’s Legacy

Byron Ball was a beloved family man, a kind soul, and a gifted high school science teacher. Byron loved sharing his enthusiasm for the natural world with his students in the classroom and beyond: on field trips to the Oregon coast, Jewel Meadows, Sauvie Island, and central Oregon. Byron made the world of science a real hands-on experience, beyond just the pages of his students’ books.

In 2015, Byron was diagnosed with cancer. He and his family knew for several months that this was a battle he would not win. During this window of time, the family gathered, spent time together, put things in order, and also discuss the possibility of donation. While his family knew that Byron’s cancer would not allow him to be an organ donor, they did think he might still be able to donate his corneas. And so on the morning of Byron’s death, at home and surrounded by loved ones – his family called Lions VisionGift and were able to honor Byron’s wishes.

Byron’s corneas provided the gift of sight to two recipients who can now enjoy the beauty of nature: birds and animals, the sun and stars and sky, green spaces, waterways, and—probably most importantly— the faces of their own loved ones.

 “When somebody’s life is saved because they got a new heart or they got a new kidney – that’s amazing. But so is the gift of sight – that’s amazing! Ask somebody who is looking at the face of their newborn child, or ask somebody who’s seeing their first sunrise or fireworks – isn’t that amazing!” – Patrice Ball

Each person’s medical condition is evaluated at the time of death to determine if they are viable for donation. Few conditions prevent a person from becoming a cornea donor.