​The Dragonfly Transplant Fund could not be successful with the involvement of our incredible volunteers. From connecting with the staff at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics to planning meetings for transplant patient projects to hosting our annual golf outing fundraiser at Blue Top Ridge Golf Course, thank you so much for volunteering.
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You are special to us. We appreciate you and everything you do!

Today begins Donate Life Month. We are proud to support Iowa Donor Network and encourage friends, family, and loved ones to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to honor those that have saved lives through the gift of donation.

Together, through spreading the word and educating others about donation, we can take small steps each day towards saving more lives. Register now at https://www.iowadonornetwork.org/register.

Our team of volunteers is beyond excited to be back at Blue Top Ridge Golf Course in Riverside, Iowa for our 5th Annual Golf Outing & Fundraiser to support the Dragonfly Transplant Fund!

Registration is now open. Sponsorship opportunities are available. 

Questions? Comments? Connect with our volunteers here. 

Join Team Dragonfly for the Iowa Donor Network Green 5K! Walk in-person on May 7th at Racoon River Park in West Des Moines, walk with us virtually, or make your donation to stay comfy on your couch and still support.

This fun, family-friendly event commemorates the lives of organ donors, celebrates the lives of transplant recipients, and recognizes those who continue to wait for the lifesaving transplant. Our team walks in memory of our co-founder, Deb Brown, who received a liver transplant at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in 2016. Deb passed away in 2020, but her memory lives on through the Dragonfly Transplant Fund.
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The Dragonfly Transplant Fund had an active and exciting year in 2021!

The year kicked off with a Valentine’s celebration brunch for the office staff at the UIHC Transplant
Center. The celebration was to recognize the record breaking number of transplant recipients in 2020
at UIHC at 103 patients! In partnership with the Bread Garden Market, Dragonfly volunteers delivered
box brunches to all the office staff at their work stations. Reports indicate that 2021 may break the
record again.

In April, the Dragonfly put together a team to participate in the lowa Donor Network Green 5K and raised over $500 for Iowa Donor Network. In case you didn’t know, April is Donate Life Month.

In August, we held our 4th Annual Golf Outing at Blue Top Ridge Golf Course in Riverside, Iowa. 2021 was the best year yet! With over 100 golfers and more than 50 volunteers, we raised over $28,000 donations for the Dragonfly cause. A highlight of the event was to have a number of both organ donors and recipients present at the event. Great job, Dragonfly Golf Committee!

In addition to the golf outing in August, we were able to host Deb's Celebration of Life. In recognizing
her courage and our vision, an endowed memorial fund was established. This fund will use its annual
earnings to provide educational scholarships for the nurses and staff at the UIHC Transplant Center. To
honor Deb's legacy, this fund is named the "Deb & Ed Brown Endowed Dragonfly Fund for Transplant
Support.” We owe a big thank you to the University of lowa Center for Advancement for their help and
guidance in making this happen. Deb and I wanted to say thank you to everyone at UIHC. It’s a fact that
a more knowledgeable staff will help everyone.

To close out the year, the Dragonfly Action Steering Committee committed 10% of the current Dragon-
fly fund to be used to enhance the transplant process for UIHC patients, families and caregivers. We asked the transplant nursing staff for their input and received valuable ideas as to how we can help
make this happen. We can’t wait to show everyone what awesome things are coming in 2022 with this
allocation!

I would be remiss if I didn't make note of the growth that the Dragonfly has experienced in the media
and marketing department throughout the whole year. Our Dragonfly website and Facebook have
proven to be a valuable method of communication and these digital marketing tools have helped us
grow awareness for the need for more people to sign up to be organ donors. To everyone who is a
donor, we have to say THANK YOU!

No, we have not accomplished our long-term goal - yet! A physical resource center and lounge for
transplant patients, caregivers, and families within the walls of UIHC to provide the support their needs
is still to come. Once our goal is achieved, the Dragonfly Resource Center will provide a physical space
to foster a community of support and survivorship.

When I reflect on the Dragonfly’s accomplishments in 2021, it’s obvious that it was a great year - and the best is yet to come! Where Dragonfly is today and where Dragonfly will be in the future is all because of you and your support. From our Dragonfly family to you, thank you, thank you, thank you - and happy holidays!

Sincerely,
Ed Brown
Co-Founder of the Dragonfly Transplant Fund 
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