Maximizing National Donation Partners Campaign and Observance Opportunities

Eye banks work with a variety of national partners throughout the year in an effort to raise awareness and promote donation. During this session, Ieesha Johnson from the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation (AMAT), discusses the importance of reaching out to minority community, resources available from AMAT, what is being done for National Minority Donor Awareness Month, and much more. Lauren Darensbourg from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) also discusses the new Donational Campaign and how eye banks can participate.

Attendees will learn the following:

How to better reach minority communities
Resources available from AMAT and HRSA
Awareness month and campaign engagement opportunities

Attend this session to learn more about these national partners and how eye banks can better participate in their opportunities!

Ieesha Johnson

Director of Community Outreach

Infinite Legacy

As the Director of Community Outreach at Infinite Legacy, Ieesha holds a pivotal role in spearheading initiatives to raise awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation across Maryland. Ieesha is the founder of Infinite Legacy's "The Decision Project", a grassroots initiative that empowers socially disadvantaged communities that are affected by donation and transplantation to make an educated and inspired decision about donation.

Presently, Ieesha serves as the President at the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation (AMAT). Beyond her presidency, she contributes as a Subject Matter Expert for the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations' (AOPO) Impact committee and as a member of the DEI committee. Ieesha's diverse contributions encompass her role as an Expert Panelist for The Division of Transplantation within the Department of Health and Human Services, concentrating on donation education and outreach. Additionally, she holds a position on the Advisory Council of Donate Life America.

Alongside her professional commitments, Ieesha holds the position of Health Chair for the Maryland State Conference at The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and actively volunteers for the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps.

Lauren Darensbourg

HRSA Division of Transplantation

Lauren Darensbourg serves as Lead of the Donation Education Team in the Division of Transplantation at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In this role, Lauren develops and coordinates public and professional education and outreach activities in support of HRSA’s mission to improve awareness about organ donation and transplantation, and to promote the need for increased donor registrations. Lauren earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry, as well as a Master of Public Health from Florida A & M University.

Jerilyn Giardina (Moderator)

Director of Partner Outreach & Community Relations

AltruVision

Jerilyn Giardina joined AltruVision, formerly known as Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley (LEBDV), in 2014. She oversees the community relations, development, and family services programs. Some of Jerilyn’s favorite contributions to the eye bank’s mission include launching the Recipient Kit Program, hosting events that engage with cornea transplant recipients and donor families, and most recently publishing the Heartfelt Collection of Letters for donor families. She has also completed her Master's Degree in Nonprofit Leadership at LaSalle University.