Elevate, Inc. Talks to Ron Christaldi, Chair of the Lions Eye Institute Eye Ball Gala

On October 22^nd, the Lions Eye Institute will host the 2016 Eye Ball Gala in support of saving sight and advances in the field of vision. Team Elevate had the opportunity to conduct a Q&A with the honored Chair of this year’s gala, Ron Christaldi.

Ron is a Partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick Law Firm with experience in both transaction and litigation law. He also sits as the Chair of the Health Care Practice Group in the Tampa office of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP.

Why do you feel the Eye Ball Gala is an important and worthy cause?

Imagine not being able to drive. Imagine not being able to see your child’s first steps. Eye sight is fundamental to so many basic daily tasks. It is also critical to one’s personal enjoyment and quality of life. The Eye Ball raises critically needed funds to assist with transplantation of corneal tissue to restore sight, as well as funding for research that helps find cures for eye disease.

What do you look forward to the most at this year’s Eye Ball Gala?

Each year, the Lions Eye Institute brings a speaker to the Eye Ball who is either a corneal transplant recipient or is a family member of an eye tissue donor. These stories are from the heart and serve as a motivating reminder of why this mission is so important. I am most excited to hear their story first hand.

How has Eye Ball Gala impacted the community?

The Eye Ball has become a premier gathering of policy makers and donors in the Tampa Bay region. With the addition of Tampa City Council Chair, Mike Suarez, to the Lions Board of Directors in July and Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Chair elect, Mike Griffin, joining the Eye Ball host committee, this year’s Eye Ball is poised to sets records in attendance, fundraising, and community awareness.

How has eye disease impacted you?

I have served as General Counsel for the Lions Eye Institute for about 14 years. In that time, my friends, family and colleagues have come to associate me with eye issues and routinely reach out to me as a connector. Through that experience I have seen over and over how many people are impacted by eye disease and the tremendous help the Lions Eye Institute provides.

Click here for more information on Lions Eye Institute’s News and Events. The “Vintage Hollywood” Eye Ball Gala will be held at 6 pm on October 22, at the Westly Event Center.

Categorized in: Work

This post was written by Elevate, Inc.