$1 million gift from the Donahoe family expands Hadley’s free help for people navigating vision loss
[Winnetka, IL, June 3, 2025] — As the baby boom generation ages, the number of Americans facing age-related vision loss is on the rise. Hadley, a national nonprofit based in suburban Chicago that supports older adults experiencing visual impairment, is launching the Donahoe Center for Support to expand emotional and social resources for this growing population.
Named in honor of longtime Hadley trustee Tom Donahoe, the Donahoe Center broadens access to Hadley’s emotional support services, which include social workers, peer connections, and multimedia content such as videos and podcasts—all available for free online, by phone, and by mail.
“Vision loss affects more than what you see—it impacts confidence, connection, and mental health,” said Johnjoe Farragher, President and CEO of Hadley. “The Donahoe Center for Support strengthens Hadley’s ability to help individuals rediscover hope, purpose, and belonging.”
Studies have linked vision loss later in life with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. And according to the National Eye Institute, within the next five years, nearly 20 million Americans are expected to experience uncorrectable vision loss due to glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye conditions.
To address this growing challenge, Hadley aims to assist one million people by 2030. The Donahoe Center will enhance Hadley’s impact by broadening outreach to older adults with vision loss, improving access to Hadley’s support specialists and peer-to-peer connections, and creating more on-demand content that fosters a sense of connectedness and emotional well-being.
The Donahoe Center is made possible through a $1 million gift from the Donahoe children: John, Martha and Susan.
“Our dad loved people and had a way of making a human connection,” said John Donahoe. “What’s remarkable about Hadley is how they use technology not to dehumanize, but to deepen those connections and scale them to reach many more people. My dad would be delighted that human connection isn’t getting lost; it’s actually being enhanced.”
To learn more about the Donahoe Center for Support, visit hadleyhelps.org/donahoe-center.