​"In 2016, Deb Brown of Cedar Rapids received the gift of life through a liver transplant.  After the transplant Deb and her husband Ed wanted to give back and established the 'Dragonfly Transplant Fund' to raise awareness of the need for organ and tissue donors and to help support transplant patients, their families, and caregivers during the transplant experience. ​ During their travels following Deb’s transplant, Deb and Ed collected miscellaneous Dragonfly jewelry signifying their dedication to transplant awareness.  Sadly, Deb passed away in 2020.  Ed’s giving nature thought perhaps this collection could benefit the campers who attend Camp Courageous---and he was right!  Thanks Ed for sharing your story, and keeping Deb’s memory alive, through this very generous gift to Camp." - July 2024, Camp Courageous Newsletter

​In 2024, Theresa Moore, a nurse in the UIHC Organ Transplant Center, was able to attend the NATCO (The Organization for Donation and Transplant Professionals) Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL with the Dragonfly Transplant Fund scholarship. 

“We have been honored to support the Dragonfly Transplant Fund golf event since its inception and are so impressed with how the event has grown over the years. Dragonfly has made such a positive impact on transplant patients and their families at the UIHC Organ Transplant Center. We can’t be more proud to be apart of supporting the mission and vision that our Aunt Deb and Uncle Ed have made a reality.”

Our Dragonfly Transplant Fund golf committee members are excited to announce our official 2024 Kid Captain for the 7th Annual Dragonfly Transplant Fund Golf Outing & Fundraiser, Peyton!

The Iowa Donor Network planned to host its Give Life 5K at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines on Saturday, May 4th, 2024, but unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. Ed, Nicole, and Star had already made the trek to the western part of Iowa, so they made a stop at the Altoona Iowa Donor Network office to visit our IDN friends! 

“[Through the golf outing,] I’ve made some great friends over the years and I look forward to being a part of the team.  Even though I’m not a golfer myself, it’s great to see everyone enjoying the day and showing their support for Ed, Deb and the organization.”

Celebrating life and honoring the gift of organ, eye and tissue donation!

Mark your calendars! Make plans to attend the 7th Annual Golf Outing for Dragonfly Transplant Fund on Friday, August 16th at Blue Top Ridge Golf Course in Riverside, Iowa!

The Dragonfly Transplant Fund is honored to participate in the Iowa Donor Network Give Live 5K in Des Moines in 2024!

The Dragonfly Transplant Fund volunteers were thrilled to celebrate Valentine's Day with staff at the UIHC Organ Transplant Center today! 

​​Iowa Donor Network (IDN) recently published their 2023 Annual Impact Report. Since 2019, the number of organ donors has increased by 40% and the number of transplants by 21%. Additionally, IDN has seen a signficant increase in volunteer hours and fundraising totals.

“...I wanted to say congratulations for all you have accomplished. We are very proud to support you in your effort, and we look forward to helping again at this year's Dragonfly Transplant Fund golf event... Your dedication to the cause and all that you have been able to accomplish is truly remarkable.”

"We will continue to work hard to create a place for {transplant patients and their families} to go - either online or in-person - to feel supported with transplant research, communications, and celebrations throughout the transplant process. Thank you for your support."

The Dragonfly Transplant Fund has been fortunate to collaborate with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics’ Stead Family Children’s Hospital on a new gift to serve pediatric transplant patients in Iowa.

In 2023, the Dragonfly Transplant Fund scholarship was awarded to Vladimir Titarenko. The funds in this scholarship are to be used to award scholarships to medical professionals working at the UIHC Transplant Center for specialized training, meetings, and other continuing education opportunities to improve the transplant process for patients, caregivers, and families.

Our Dragonfly steering committee was thrilled to present the check to the University of Iowa for a total amount of $48,915.00 raised at the 6th Annual Dragonfly Transplant Fund Golf Outing & Fundraiser! We were thrilled to host Alli Ingman with the University of Iowa Center for Advancement and Dr. Alan Reed with the UIHC Organ Transplant Center in attendance for the check presentation.

The weather was perfect. The golf course was full. Memories were made. The 6th Annual Dragonfly Transplant Fund Golf Outing and Fundraiser is in the books! Thank you to our 100+ golfers in attendance. Thank you to our sponsors. Thank you to Riverside Casino and Golf Resort for hosting us. We will be sharing the final fundraising total as well as a proper thank you in the coming weeks!

We've made it an entire year since we've golfed together to support the Dragonfly Transplant Fund. It's time to celebrate golf week! Our team of volunteers is beyond is excited to see everyone THIS FRIDAY at Blue Top Ridge Golf Course for our 6th Annual Golf Outing & Fundraiser. 

Check out our Iowa Donor Network Donor Dash team from the North Liberty event this weekend! Gina Schmidt, Ed Brown, Troy Reineke, and Star Brown. Gina won first place in her age division. Ed and Star did not finish last! Thank you to our Team Dragonfly supporters.

On Friday, July 14th, we were thrilled to participate in the Iowa Transplant Open at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City.