"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.

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."

To make a donation to the Dragonfly Transplant Fund through the University of Iowa Center for Advancement in honor of Deb Brown, please click the link below. 

It’s been almost two years since the Dragonfly Transplant Fund was founded. We have said "thank you" multiple times to many of you over the last two years, but as the year comes to a close, we want to say it again: THANK YOU! 

We are just the spokespeople for the mission of the Dragonfly Transplant Fund. All the organ donors, the recipients, and the great medical staff at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics are the reason we work towards the goals of the fund. At the end of the day, the organ donors, the recipients, and the UIHC medical staff are the ones who will make the Dragonfly Transplant Fund's mission and vision to become a reality. They are the true heroes.

As we have become more involved with the transplant cause over the years, we have met groups of people and organizations that have the same heart as we have. The thing we remember is: yes, we can do more and we can make a bigger impact! And we can do even more together. 

In 2020, we will continue to grow the Dragonfly Transplant Fund and inch closer to our goal of a caregivers' suite and providing a tool for education and assistance to transplant patients and their families. Our website is constantly changing and we will be active on social media by year-end – keep checking us out. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your past, present, and future support of the Dragonfly Transplant Fund. Happy Holidays! 

Sincerely,
​Deb & Ed Brown
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