News & Stories

At Iowa Lions Eye Bank, our top priority is ensuring that all donor corneas that are processed for transplant are safe for recipients. We are closely following guidelines and protocols put in place by the FDA, Eye Bank Association of America, and the CDC amid the COVID-19 pandemic. While our screening process has become more robust, many Iowans continue to choose donation and committed to restoring sight to others.

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.'

Irene Saur-Jones died at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics at the age of 99 years and 3 months. According to her family, Irene had no true desire to live such a long life, but she did her best to enjoy each day as it came to her. She enjoyed staying connected to people and worldly affairs by watching TV and reading her iPad. Irene felt blessed to be surrounded by her loving family and friends, and rarely voiced a complaint.

Douglas Stewart from Muscatine, Iowa died on February 26, 2017 at the age of 52.  But he might have died 16 years earlier were it not for a very special gift he received--twice—the gift of life. Doug was only 36 years old, and the father of four young children, when he was first told he would need a liver transplant. Unfortunately, the first transplant failed, and he underwent a second liver transplant just 2 years later.

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. I am so proud of how one unorganized man single-handedly planned a large motorcycle ride with 5 stops spanning 5 hours, followed by a benefit consisting of a raffle, silent auction, buffet and live band.