The founders of the Dragonfly Transplant Fund, Deb and Ed Brown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, love sharing the story of their experience with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics’ Transplant Center and the Iowa Donor Network. ​

April is Donate Life Month. It is "a month to celebrate those who have received transplants, to recognize those who continue to wait, to honor donors and donor families, and to thank registered donors for giving hope."

Iowa Donor Network will host the 13th annual Green 5K Fun Run and Walk on Saturday, April 18, 2020 at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines. The course will be on the scenic path around Blue Heron Lake. Join us to honor the lives of organ and tissue donors, celebrate the lives of recipients, and recognize those who continue to wait for a life-saving transplant.

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!

This week, we were ecstatic to celebrate Deb's 3rd "Re-Birthday" with our friends at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics!

In November 2016, Deb received her second chance at life after an 11-hour liver transplant at UIHC Transplant Center. In honor of the third anniversary of this incredible life event, Deb and Ed were gifted a cake from Iced Bakery in Marion, Iowa in a custom dragonfly design. Deb and Ed shared their marble cake with strawberry frosting at UIHC on Wednesday, November 6th.

“We, as well as the Browns, anxiously awaited word that perhaps this would be the last trip involving an actual transplant. Finally, the ultimate gift occurred and Star was able to get the rest of her family back home full-time!" 

“I am very proud of the way my uncle and aunt Ed and Deb are using their new beginning in life to give back to others.  Whether it is the dedicated room or transplant awareness, the Dragonfly Fund is a charity I will continue to support and be involved with in the future."