CHICAGO— ORBIS International, a nonprofit development organization dedicated to saving sight worldwide, announced it will replace its current DC-10 Flying Eye Hospital with a DC-10 Series 30 freighter. United Airlines, with the support of FedEx Corp., is donating the airplane to ORBIS. The $2 million donation is based on the plane’s estimated value and is being funded equally by United and FedEx.

“Through the extraordinary generosity of United and FedEx, millions of people who would otherwise go blind or remain blind for lack of proper eye care will reap the rewards of advanced ophthalmic training,” said ORBIS executive director Geoffrey Holland. “The new aircraft will allow ORBIS to continue its mobile sight-saving training for 20 years. This is a truly wonderful gift to the world.”

At the heart of ORBIS is the world’s only Flying Eye Hospital, a DC-10 aircraft containing an innovative teaching facility and ophthalmic surgical center. The ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital is flown across the globe by volunteer pilots from FedEx Express and United, and its international medical team conducts treatment and training programs. Leading eye surgeons volunteer their time to perform surgery and teach aboard the aircraft during programs specifically designed to suit the skills-level of host countries.

ORBIS International is a nonprofit global development organization dedicated to saving sight worldwide. Since 1982, ORBIS programs have benefited people in 86 countries, enhancing the skills of more than 195,000 health care personnel and providing eyecare treatment for more than 6.8 million people.