Without the generosity of donors and their families, the ability to enhance the lives of others through the preservation and restoration of sight would not be possible. At Iowa Lions Eye Bank, we provide a variety of services for the families of donors to remember and honor their loved one, and for recipients to thank those that gave the gift of sight.
Donor Loved Ones
The process of corneal transplantation would not be possible without the selfless act of donation, and through donation, a life becomes a legacy. Iowa Lions Eye Bank offers opportunities for donor families to share the stories of their loved one and create lasting memorials.
Iowa Lions Donor Memorial & Healing Garden
Visit the memorial located outside the main entrance of University of Iowa Health Care-University Campus.
Corresponding with Recipients
Connect with the recipients of your loved one's gift.
Celebration of Hope and Renewal
Each year, Iowa Lions Eye Bank holds the Celebration of Hope and Renewal ceremony in the Iowa Lions Donor Memorial and Healing Garden.
Keepsakes to Donor Families
Iowa Lions Eye Bank provides memorial gifts to families.
Recipients
The gift of sight dramatically improves the lives of cornea recipients, yet finding the right words to express gratitude can be difficult. Recipients might fear deepening the donor family’s grief. However, donor loved ones often find solace in receiving a simple, heartfelt thank-you note. These messages honor their loved one’s legacy, bringing comfort during their time of grief.
How to write a letter to your donor's loved ones
The gift of sight is confidential. All identities will remain anonymous through the correspondence process. The information below offers guidelines for writing to your donor's loved ones and directions for submitting your letter to Iowa Lions Eye Bank. Once your letter is received, it is reviewed by our family services coordinator to ensure confidentiality and then it is forwarded to your donor’s next of kin.
How to write a letter
- Please address your letter to “Donor Loved Ones”
- Use your first name only, whether introducing yourself or in the closing – please do not include last names.
- Recognize the donor family and their loss of a loved one, sincerely thanking them for the gift you have received.
- Explain how the transplant has improved your vision and how life has changed for you and your loved ones.
- If you’d like, you may provide general information such as your occupation, hobbies and interests, or family situation (marital status, children, grandchildren).
- Before making religious comments, please consider that the beliefs of the donor’s family are unknown.
- Do not include the following information: your address, your phone number, your email address, your surgeon’s name, name/location of your surgery center, or exact surgery dates.
- On a separate piece of paper, list your full name, date of transplant, and name of surgeon so that we may correctly link you with your donor. This information will not be sent with your letter to the donor’s next of kin.
- Place the letter and the identifying information into an envelope.
- Send letter to:
Iowa Lions Eye Bank
Family Services Coordinator
BioVentures Center
2500 Crosspark Road, W300
Coralville, IA 52241
- The family services coordinator will review your correspondence to ensure confidentiality. Your letter will then be forwarded to your donor’s next of kin. Please allow several weeks for this process to take place.
Will I hear from the donor's loved ones?
You may or may not receive correspondence from the loved ones of your cornea donor. Some donor families have stated that writing about their loved one helps them in the grieving process, while others prefer privacy and choose not to write to their recipients. Individuals differ in managing grief; choosing to write is a personal decision for the donor’s family, just as it is for you, the recipient.
Downloadable guide to writing to your donor's loved ones
Do you have any additional questions or comments?
Share Your Story
We are always interested in hearing the stories of how Iowa Lions Eye Bank has been part of a life-changing journey through corneal donation and transplantation.
If you would like to share your story directly with us, please use the links below and complete the forms. We often feature these items in the "news" section of our website, on our social media pages, in our bi-monthly newsletter, and in other communication materials.
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Join our email list to receive Iowa Lions Eye Bank updates and read stories shared by our donor families and recipients.
