Changing Lives Every Day
News & Stories
Iowa Teen Chooses Donation
![](https://iowalionseyebank.org/sites/iowalionseyebank.org/files/styles/teaser_image/public/field/image/jose_at_high_school_graduation_2018.jpg?itok=k2QGJYon)
Jose Javier Santos-Jimenez
July 16, 2000 – September 29,2018
ILEB Student Researcher Spreads Joy and Education to Pediatric Patients
![](https://iowalionseyebank.org/sites/iowalionseyebank.org/files/styles/teaser_image/public/field/image/kingsbury-ko.jpg?itok=nYYXdsDB)
Iowa Lions Eye Bank is proud to have Kenten Kingsbury on our research team as part of a 12-week summer research fellowship with Dr. Mark Greiner, ILEB Medical Director, as his mentor. Kingsbury has completed his first year of medical school at the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine.
Gifted Student Gives Gift of Sight
![](https://iowalionseyebank.org/sites/iowalionseyebank.org/files/styles/teaser_image/public/field/image/amanda_wilken.jpg?itok=-x6xqp1X)
Amanda Wilken was a vibrant, driven, and brilliant student with a great sense of humor and lots of friends. Amanda grew up and attended school in Norwalk, Iowa, and graduated with honors in 2013.
Iowa Artist Receives Gift of Sight
![](https://iowalionseyebank.org/sites/iowalionseyebank.org/files/styles/teaser_image/public/field/image/sherry_with_artwork.jpg?itok=lR0qUD0o)
Sherry M. Erpelding is a bilateral cornea recipient who has been watercolor painting since her early high school years. Originally from Waterloo, IA, she and her husband of 52 years currently reside in the small central Iowa community of Baxter.
ILEB COVID-19 Response
![COVID-19 response sheet](https://iowalionseyebank.org/sites/iowalionseyebank.org/files/styles/teaser_image/public/field/image/covid-19_response.jpg?itok=9SdGOsAj)
Iowa Lions Eye Bank COVID-19 Response:
ILEB 2019 Impact Map
![Iowa Lions Eye Bank 2019 impact map visual](https://iowalionseyebank.org/sites/iowalionseyebank.org/files/styles/teaser_image/public/field/image/2019-impact-map-2.png?itok=Wdy13hD7)
936 Iowans donated their eyes or corneas to Iowa Lions Eye Bank in 2019, resulting in 748 cornea transplants in 20 states along with Egypt and Swaziland. Donated tissues was also used from many donors to continue our research efforts to 'Perfect the Transplant and Prevent the Transplant.'
Dedicated Organist Gives Gift of Research
![Donor Irene E. Saur-Jones](https://iowalionseyebank.org/sites/iowalionseyebank.org/files/styles/teaser_image/public/field/image/irene_e._saur-jones.jpg?itok=Ins7dgid)
Irene E. Saur-Jones
November 26, 1918 - February 24, 2018
Iowa Donors Honored in 2020 Rose Parade
![Rose Parade Float](https://iowalionseyebank.org/sites/iowalionseyebank.org/files/styles/teaser_image/public/field/image/roseparade_facebookad.png?itok=NqwC3kLa)
Motorcycle Enthusiast Gives the Gift of Sight
![Donor Lee and wife](https://iowalionseyebank.org/sites/iowalionseyebank.org/files/styles/teaser_image/public/field/image/lee.jpg?itok=BKCFcc6e)
My husband Lee and I were very dedicated motorcycle riders; Lee lived for riding. He participated in many charity rides and benefits for every cause imaginable. He put his own ride together every year in honor of his grandson who has juvenile diabetes. This ride helped the family with the high costs of medication, doctor visits and transportation.