Honoring the Gift

As one family experiences a tremendous loss, another family gains the gift of sight. The Iowa Lions Eye Bank proudly honors the memory of loved ones who have given the “Gift of Sight” through transplant or the “Gift of Answers” through research. These acknowledgments also honor the donor family who had the courage to make a decision to donate at such a difficult time in their lives.

The Remembrance Album is a collection of photos and stories of the children, spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends who have died and become eye donors. These expressions of memorable moments are displayed in a keepsake album at the eye bank in Iowa City and also shared at various events attended by staff of the ILEB.

The Donor Family Quilt is an artwork that incorporates unique and special individual quilt squares designed and donated by eye donor families throughout Iowa. Each square is a trubute to the memory of an eye donor, stitched or painted to keep the memory alive. The first quilt was completed in May of 2003. Linda Reed, A Lions Club member, pieced and quilted the quilt. The quilt is displayed at the ILEB in Iowa City and will be exhibited at various district and state Lions' conventions and other events.

Beginning April 1st of 2003, the Iowa Lions Eye Bank adopted the In Remembrance Angel Charmer as our special thank you to the families of those who have so generously given the gift of sight to another individual or contributed to the gift of answers to valuable research of blinding eye disease . The eye bank customized this angelic token of appreciation by choosing significant charms that symbolize the act of giving; the heart and the universal donor ribbon. A personalized message on the enclosure card reads: “Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day.” This Angel Charmer is mailed out to all eye donor families soon after the loss of their loved one.

Often, words cannot express the gratitude of those whose lives have been enhanced or saved through a transplant. The Gift of Life Donor Medal was created as a remembrance for those who helped improve the lives of others through organ, tissue and eye donation. This medal of honor serves as a symbol of the gift given and a reminder of the eternal gratefulness of those who have received. In June of 2007, the staff of the Iowa Lions Eye Bank enhanced their donor family service program to include the Gift of Life Donor Medal keepsake as an expression of thankfulness to all families of our altruistic eye donors.