Transplant advocate lauded

The New Star

Helen Keller once said, "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision." Lack of vision was not something Melvin Arnold had in his life. Mel, an advocate for the Northwest Louisiana Lions Eye Bank in Shreveport, a non-profit organization whose mission is to supply donor eye tissue to ophthalmologists for use in restoring eyesight through corneal transplant, had great vision in understanding the importance of individuals who take the time to donate precious eye tissue upon the death of a loved one to give the gift of sight to another.

For 18 years Mel has served as the Northeast Louisiana Tissue Recovery coordinator working with patients waiting for a corneal transplant and families who mourn the loss of a loved one all the while not losing their own vision to bless another with sight. Patients, family members and staff at St. Francis Medical Center have had the privilege of being the recipient of Mel's compassion, care and comfort for many years. He assists not only in helping donors and recipients directly, but he continues to spread the word and educate the public about the importance of organ donation, how to donate and what it can mean.
Read more: http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20120618/OPINION03/206180319