The Dragonfly Transplant Fund is proud to support the Iowa Donor Network and their fundraising efforts through this year's Green 5K in Des Moines! 

"The Green 5K Fun Run honors those who have given the gift of life, celebrates the lives of organ and tissue recipients, and recognizes those who continue to wait for a lifesaving transplant," explains Iowa Donor Network. "This is a family-friendly event so no matter your skill level the Green 5K is open to everyone. Honor and support those who have been impacted by organ, eye and tissue donation and wear your best GREEN + BLUE apparel to celebrate the gift of life!"

On Tuesday, February 14th, three of our volunteers with the Dragonfly Transplant Fund visited the UIHC Transplant Center to serve a special brunch to their staff. This includes:

• Transplant surgeons
• Transplant medical physicians
• Transplant administrative staff
• Transplant pharmacists
• Nurse transplant coordinators
• Transplant psychologists
• Physician assistants with transplant specialties
• Transplant social workers
• Financial counselors dedicated to transplant cases
• Full resources of Iowa's only academic medical center

The Dragonfly Transplant Fund was happy to serve more than fifty boxed brunches, catered by the Bread Garden Market. This special meal was to celebrate the UIHC Transplant Center's success in 2022.

"We handed out the {boxed brunches} and I was able to personally talk with at least a dozen of the Transplant Center team members," said Darrin Yuska, Dragonfly Transplant Fund volunteer. "Everyone was so apprecative and we would definitely do this again for them. They deserve it."  

Last year alone, there were 115 organ donors and 979 tissue donors registered in Iowa. The total number of organ transplants was 347!!! Our volunteers would like to again congratulate and thank the UIHC Transplant Center team for what they do every single day to make this happen.
​

The Iowa Donor Network just released their 2022 annual report. Highlights from this past year include:

• 115 organ donors
• 979 tissue donors
• 347 organs transplanted

What a year in the world of organ and tissue transplant! Thank you to IDN and all of their staff as well as volunteers that support transplant patients, their caregivers, and their families.
​

"I had my first cornea transplant in 2005 with Dr. Jacobs at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was a scary whirlwind. I didn't know anyone else that ever had a cornea transplant and I felt completely alone afterwards. About six years after my transplant, I had the amazing honor of meeting my donor's family. We celebrate birthdays, holidays and most importantly, my donor Jarren. Becoming a volunteer for the Iowa Donor Network was also life changing for me. My donor's mother and I share our stories and volunteer for IDN and the Iowa Lions Eye Bank together. I love being able to educate people on myths about donation and hear that because of me, or my donor's mother, they're going to reach out to their donor or loved ones recipient. If that doesn't give you goosebumps to hear.

In 2022, the Dragonfly Transplant Fund was able to collaborate with the nursing staff at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Organ Transplant Center to create a special patient care bag, also called a "swag bag." This care bag is given to transplant patients and their families as they conclude their stay at UIHC during the transplant process.

The bag is a reuseable bag with a few resources and tools for them to take home, including:

• Blood pressure cuff
• Thermometer
• A special pillow
• Information on the Dragonfly Transplant Fund and organ donation

On behalf of our volunteers with the Dragonfly golf committee, we are thankful for each and every one of our golfers, volunteers, sponsors, and donors for contributing to a successful golf outing in 2022! We are thrilled to announce that our total funds raised in 2022 topped last year's funds...

We loved celebrating at Tin Roost in North Liberty with our friends from UICA, Alli and Taylor, and presenting them with the official (BIG!) donation check. We look forward to sharing photos from the golf outing very soon. 

​We look forward to announcing the date for our 6th Annual Golf Outing and Fundraiser in 2023! ​

We had the opportunity to meet Leslie McCloy, Post-Transplant Kidney/Pancreas Coordinator at UIHC at the Iowa Donor Network Donor Dash 5K in August. Leslie has an incredible passion for transplant care and a special story to share, and we are honored to share her story with our Dragonfly supporters:

"Donation and transplant have been the cornerstone of my nursing career. I had the privilege of working with organ donors and their families through my role at Iowa Donor Network as an organ donation coordinator. This experience led me to my current role as a kidney/pancreas post transplant coordinator, working with our transplant team to guide our recipients after they have received their transplant.

​My recipients inspired me to pursue living kidney donation, and on September 9th, 2021 I was able to donate my left kidney to a man I did not know. He and I both continue to do well after surgery, enjoying simple things like spending time with family and friends.

​I feel like it is within our power to say YES to donation. It was the right choice for me, and it is a powerful creed to believe in."

For those of you who were unable to attend our golf outing, you're welcome to replay the live stream from our reception at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort. The video can be played below or you can also find it on our Facebook page. 

We will be sharing photos from Cory John Photography in the coming days as well as our official announcement and final tally of the funds raised from our 5th Annual Golf Outing & Fundraiser. Stay tuned - we are beyond excited to share the results!