The Gift of Sight: Plainfield Girl Featured in Organ Donor Video

Now almost 8 years old, Katie Jenks loves sports, music and art.

Those are three things she almost missed out on due to a congenital eye disease that nearly robbed her of her sight. 

But after having a cornea transplant at age 2, Katie is active with the Plainfield Soccer Association, among other things.

"She likes to do art, she likes to play piano, she likes to read," mom Crissie Jenks said. 

Recently, Katie and parents Crissie and Steve were featured in the Illinois Eye Bank's "Eye for an I" video. Sporting her PSA jersey, Katie is shown playing soccer — a tribute, her mom said, to the person who made the generous decision to be an organ donor.

"Somebody lost their life, and Katie got her eyesight," Crissie said. "It's a good tribute to the donors."

She said the family serves as ambassadors for the eye bank. 

"We're so grateful for donors," Crissie said. In the video, she adds, "The decision to donate can just change someone's life."

Click on the embedded video to see Katie in action in the "Eye for an I" video (she shows up at the 2:30 mark).