In 2025, the Iowa Lions Donor Memorial & Healing Garden celebrates its 20th anniversary, honoring the generous gifts from Iowa families and the dedication of those who support the eye, organ, and tissue donation process.
Located near the main entrance of University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center-University Campus in Iowa City, the garden was dedicated on October 10, 2005. It was designed by Lisbon artist Tim Ellsworth and Country Landscapes designer Alex Schmidt, and made possible by a more than $100,000 gift from the Iowa Lions Foundation.
The garden serves as a place of reflection for visitors, patients, staff, and students, aiming to inspire all who visit and encourage future donors to consider giving the gifts of sight and life.
Over the years, it has hosted events like the annual blessing of the pets ceremony and labyrinth walks conducted by Spiritual Services, as well as staff photos and seasonal displays like holiday lights.
The Garden Through The Years
Construction begins
June, 2005Ground is broken outside of UI Health Care Medical Center-University Campus.
Garden dedicated
October 10, 2005The ribbon is cut at a dedication ceremony. Those who spoke at the dedication included John Sutphin Jr., MD, medical director, Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Donna Katen-Bahensky, Director and CEO of UI Health Care, Carol Ann Kirkbride, Council Chairperson, Lions Clubs of Iowa, Tom Weingeist PhD., MD, professor and head of the Department of Ophthalmology at UI Health Care, Past District Governor Dale Juergens of the Lions Clubs of Iowa, Jane Duvall, a cornea transplant recipient and Suzanne Conrad, CEO of Iowa Donor Network.
First Ceremony
April 2006The Celebration of Hope & Renewal, honoring donor loved ones and recipients, is held for the first time at the garden. Some of the first personalized benches and paving stones are dedicated as well.
Gift of Sight Hosta
2010Joy Adams of Monticello, who had two cornea transplants in 2008 with tissue recovered, evaluated, processed and distributed by Iowa Lions Eye Bank, developed the Gift of Sight Hosta.This plant, with its cupped leaves, gives the impression that someone is giving something away. It also resembles an actual cornea, with white margins on the leaves and slight ripples to the touch. The hosta was planted in the garden and has proliferated ever since.
Cleanup time
2011Staff members pitched in to remove some plantings at the garden.
Quilt unveiled
April 2015Families who contributed to the fourth donor quilt have the opportunity to see it during the annual Celebration of Hope and Renewal.
Celebration Canceled
2020Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Celebration of Hope & Renewal is not held for the first time since the garden opened 15 years earlier.