Changing Lives Every Day
News & Stories
Iowa woman had the 'greatest smile'
George Rickey says his wife, Sally, had the “greatest smile you ever would see.”
In fact, smiles are what brought them together.
They met in Columbus, Ohio, after appearing on a radio show called “Desperate & Dateless,” that was like “The Dating Game.”
Illinois man says restored vision 'like a gift every day'
Jeff Govednik enjoys doing stand-up comedy in his spare time.
Nebraska woman thankful for life-changing cornea transplant
After spending time working around her acreage in late June 2022, Tiffani Zeleny says she woke up in the middle of the night with what felt like an itchy left eye.
2022 Impact Map
A total of 927 Iowa donors provided corneal transplant tissue for 687 recipients in 2022. Additional gifted corneas were used for research and educational purposes to advance knowledge of blindness-causing diseases and transplantation techniques. See the full image.
From Central New York to Central America: ILEB helps facilitate corneal transplants in Honduras
Four people in Central America received the gift of sight in September 2022 thanks to Iowa Lions Eye Bank and a University of Iowa alum.
Seeing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary
Matt was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small lung cancer in December, 2017.
9,074 Miles to Miracles - Iowa Lions Eye Bank Restoring Sight in Eswatini
Iowa Lions Eye Bank (ILEB) provides the gift of sight to those in need of a corneal transplant—whether the recipients reside in Iowa or more than 9,000 miles away in one of the smallest countries in Africa. Through the eye bank’s long-standing relationship with Dr. Matthew S.
2022 Celebration of Hope & Renewal
The Iowa Lions Eye Bank Celebration of Hope & Renewal took place on Saturday, May 21, 2022 in the Iowa Lions Donor Memorial & Healing Garden. The Iowa Lions Donor Memorial & Healing Garden honors and celebrates the gifts given by Iowa families and the work of all who facilitate and support the donation and transplantation process.
Donor Heroes
Charlie Hewitt from Parkersburg, Iowa, understands the gift of donation from both sides. Six years before Charlie received the gift of sight through a corneal transplant—thanks to the altruism of a deceased cornea donor—his wife, Judy Hewitt, received the gift of life through a kidney transplant.
2021 Impact Map
880 Iowa donors provided corneal transplant tissue for 624 recipients in 2021. Additional gifted corneas were used for research and educational purposes to advance knowledge of blindness-causing diseases and transplantation technique. Click HERE to view the full image.