By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

Denise Haynes and JoAnn Berens live in the same town and attend the same church. Another commonality they didn't know they shared, however, was that both received a corneal transplant in 2004.

"It's a small world, right?" Berens said with a laugh.

The two women met up Friday afternoon at Bank of Hays, 1000 W. 27th, as part of a community health awareness event sponsored by the Hays Lion's Club.

Inside, the two women shared their stories, and club members distributed information about organ donation. In the parking lot, a long line had formed for free health screenings offered by the Kansas Lion's Club.

With the help of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, the club recently obtained a new, brightly colored mobile screening unit. Residents could check their blood pressure, blood sugar, field of vision, visual acuity and hearing for no cost.

"I see my doctor quite regularly, but this is free, so I thought I would take advantage of it," said Bonnie Fadenrecht, a Hays resident who was waiting for her turn. "My blood pressure's been a little high, so I thought this is another time I could have it checked and see how it is."

Two registered nurses volunteered to conduct the blood pressure and blood sugar tests, and local Lion's Club members have been trained to operate the vision and hearing equipment.

The Kansas-themed mobile unit has been popular since it hit the road last year. The hope is to detect possible health threats early on, said Sylvia Reinhardt, a member of the Hays club and area director for the Kansas Lion's Club Sight Foundation.

"It is really good, especially right now with either people not having insurance or being unemployed and unable to afford it," Reinhardt said. "It's a real good opportunity for them to detect problems that they could be referred on."

Besides mobile screening, the Lions Club, which focuses on eye health, also sponsors a regional eye bank.

And Haynes and Berens know first-hand how much eye donations are appreciated.

Haynes was legally blind in one eye due to severe corneal damage caused by a virus. Today, she's seeing with 20-30 vision and has been able to resume some of her favorite activities.

"I'm reading again. I didn't read because I had one good eye; it's hard to read that way," she said. "I'm doing cross-stitch again."

Berens has a similar story. She was diagnosed with keratoconus at age 18 and nearly lost vision in one eye. She also is seeing at 20-30 after the surgery, she said, noting the improvement began immediately.

"He took off (the eye patch), and I could see my husband," Berens said. "It was just like, 'Oh, wow.' "

Neither have been able to make contact with the donors' families, but say they are forever grateful for the gift of sight.

"I would tell all people to be an organ and tissue donor," Haynes said.

"I think it's wonderful when you donate one," Berens agreed. "If you can help someone to see and have vision, why, it's wonderful."