Regenerations Technology, Inc. awarded the South Dakota Lions Eye Bank with a $10,000 grant to enhance community programs. Since 2006 the South Dakota Lions Eye Bank has partnered with area hospitals to honor local donor families and transplant recipients. The honorarium ceremonies have taken place at class A high school basketball games during half time break. Since offering these programs 14 communities in South Dakota have participated. These programs have proved to be extremely successful in educating and raising community awareness on the needs and benefits of donation. As well as being greatly appreciated by the donor families and transplant recipients from those communities.

With the $10,000 grant, community programs will be greatly enhanced offering greater recognition to participating donor families and transplant recipients. The grant monies will also aid in travel costs and other promotional materials needed for the events. During the 2008/2009 academic school year the Eye Bank will offer community programs to class AA high schools and other communities by request.

A contracted processing agency of the Eye Bank awarded the grant money. Regeneration Technologies, Inc., of Alachua, Florida prepares human donated tissue and bovine tissue for transplantation through extensive testing, screening, precision shaping, proprietary, and validated sterilization processes. These allograft and xenograft implants are used in spine, sports medicine and other orthopedic surgeries. Biologic implants are very effective in repairing and promoting the healing of a wide variety of bone and other tissue defects.