The Recipient Rainbow Tree was created and decorated by the Family Services Program of Iowa Lions Eye Bank.
We are excited to share the gratitude for restored or enhanced sight experienced by our grateful cornea transplant recipients of all ages!
Receiving the Gift of Sight through a cornea transplant allows the recipient to see more vibrant colors and details in the days and weeks following their transplant surgery.
The Recipient Rainbow Tree is adorned with rainbow themed ornaments and brightly colored decorations, along with colorful rainbow artwork created by several of our pediatric cornea recipient artists.
The Recipient Rainbow Tree exemplifies the humanitarian spirit of all eye, organ and tissue donors, acknowledges all those who facilitate donation and transplantation, and promotes awareness of the need for donors in Iowa and beyond. The Grove is a beautiful holiday tradition at University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital and is on display through January 23, 2020-located on the 1st floor of the hospital, just outside of Nick's Theatre. We invite and encourage you to visit the hospital and see The Recipient Rainbow Tree!
Special thanks to our four young artists (and their supportive parents) for creating their unique rainbow themed artwork displayed on the branches of the Recipient Rainbow Tree; Joseph, Kahler, Lillie and Claire are all cornea transplant recipients who underwent their transplant surgeries at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics at a very young age! (See Image Gallery Below)
Additional special thanks to our 2018 cornea transplant recipients of all ages who were invited to sponsor the variety of colorful rainbow ornaments that hang on the tree. Without their generous contributions and gratitude for their Gift of Sight, this beautiful Recipient Rainbow Tree would not have been possible! With their permission, we offer our sincere thanks to each of them:
Shelly H.
Patricia Bahnks
Kent Dauphin
Claire Hamilton
Patricia E. Ferguson
Pat
Dick Archer
Donald Landheer
Bonnie Ellis
Yvonne McCaw
The Anson Family
Mary L. Paulsgrove
Sue Steward
Vickie R. Kilmer
Janet Lott
P. Powers
Ron Hilliard
Michael J. Lane
Illa Jean Carson
Janet
David C.
Deanna "Sue" Barvinek
Frank Krudwig
Margaret Caylor
Mary Jo Hastings
Kevin Slayton
Barbara Bellamy
Charles Villhauer
Anita Garand
Laura L. Teel
Nina Musick
Becky Lutz
Greg Ball
Marie Pohl
JoDee Richardson
Rick Anderson
Connie Hendrick
A Thankful Recipient
Gerald Guenther
Judy Oehl
Charles E. Slack
Sue Parmentier
Debra Robinson
Edith Schroeder
Sandy Gehrmann
Patricia Ann Webb
Albert Pospisil
Paul Fagenbaum
Connie J. Gillilan
