Latest news with #IowaDonorNetwork
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Tissue donation from Iowa college student helps revive career of Chicago Bulls' Lonzo Ball
DES MOINES, Iowa — A donation from an Iowa college student allowed a famous athlete to continue playing the sport he loves. Alex Reinhardt was 20-years-old when he passed in February of 2023. The Morningside University student loved sports, and his family honored his wish to be an organ and tissue donor. Chicago Bulls basketball player Lonzo Ball is a recipient of Alex's donation. A knee injury nearly ended Ball's career, and an experimental surgery using Reinhardt's tissue allowed him to return to the court. Ottumwa nursing home residents get gift of robotic pets To help honor Alex's legacy, Ball invited Alex's family to a Chicago Bulls game earlier this week, and the Iowa Donor Network helped make it happen. 'When I first reached out to the family, I was only able to tell them that there was an elite athlete who their son's donation had gone to. Already, that was just a huge excitement, we hadn't even shared who this individual was yet. When I was able to give that call and let them know that it was Lonzo Ball with the Chicago Bulls it was just super exciting … Chicago just welcomed us in, the Bulls welcomed us in. Lonzo just really wanted to make this special for the family,' said Kate Granzow, Manager of Family Advocates with the Iowa Donor Network. Last year alone the Iowa donor network facilitated more than 1,100 tissue donations. Iowa News: 10-year-old Urbandale golfer Brooklynn Conard competes at Augusta National Tissue donation from Iowa college student helps revive career of Chicago Bulls' Lonzo Ball Forecast: Check out the weekend! Suspect in shooting that injured 1 in Fort Dodge arrested 1 dead in fiery I-80 crash involving semis Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
MercyOne Siouxland raises flag for National Donate Life Month
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — April is National Donate Life Month, and MercyOne Siouxland and the Iowa Donor Network came together Wednesday in an effort to raise awareness, celebrating with a flag raising. The Iowa Donor Network says that last year, a record number of lives were helped through organ and tissue donations in the U.S. The nonprofit wanted to let Iowans know just how important it is to be a donor. Siouxland students learn about STEM jobs at festival 'One donor can save up to eight lives, tissue donation can help as many as 300,' said Jon Jorgensen with the Iowa Donor Network. 'So just tremendous impact from one donor, and it's just a pleasure to be here to offer this opportunity.' Officials say there are still more than 100,000 Americans currently on the waiting list, with 600 of them living in Iowa. Anyone interested in becoming a donor can register by . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What to know about measles and how to stay safe
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — 164 cases of measles have been reported in nine states across the U.S. as of Feb. 28, and local health experts want to inform Siouxlanders about the infectious virus. While Siouxland District Health Department officials say there's been no reported cases of measles in the area, it's best that people know what to look out for. Measles is a highly contagious virus that manifests in several ways. Iowa Donor Network emphasizes importance of organ and tissue donations 'The early symptoms are usually a high fever, cough, runny nose, eye, you know, pinkeye, but then it usually progresses into a rash that starts in the face and kind of progresses down into the hands and feet,' said Tyler Brock with the Siouxland District Health Department. According to the CDC, last year, 285 cases of measles were reported across 33 states. Officials say the virus can easily spread. 'So this is spread through droplets – you know, the stuff that comes out of our mouths when we talk, when we sneeze, when we cough, that kind of thing,' Brock said. 'It can actually hang in the air for a couple of hours. If I walk into a room two hours after somebody with measles was there coughing, I could still catch that infection. It's one of the things that makes it so infectious.' The airborne disease can cause severe complications and even death, so it's important to call professionals if you believe you have measles. 'You're going to want to be in touch with your medical provider as soon as you possibly can,' Brock said. 'We would want people to isolate at home during their infectious period. Usually someone's infectious… until four days after the rash starts.' Okoboji Middle School teacher receives regional 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Brock wants to emphasize to people that the best way to avoid outbreaks of preventable diseases is to follow vaccination schedules. 'Usually it's recommended to have two MMR shots,' he said. 'You start getting those shots after 12 months old, so the babies can't get them yet until they're at least a year old.' Across the Siouxland states, Iowa hasn't reported any cases of measles since 2019, Nebraska since 2017, and South Dakota since 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Iowa Donor Network emphasizes importance of organ and tissue donations
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A father whose son gave the gift of life to five people is letting people know about the importance of organ and tissue donations. The Rotary Club of Sioux City welcomed John Jorgensen from the Iowa Donor Network on Monday. According to the Iowa Donor Network, there are over 500 people on the waiting list for donations in Iowa, with over 100,000 patients nationwide. Jorgenson shared his personal story with Rotary Club members, emphasizing how easy it is to become a donor. 'It's such a need,' he said. 'The kidney list is, about 82 percent of those people waiting for organs are waiting for kidneys, and the rest are between all the others and it's just a thing that's needed' Okoboji Middle School teacher receives regional 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Jorgensen said he hopes that the number of people waiting on lists goes down as donations go up. 'It's important for people to donate so we can help that list shrink down so people waiting on a list aren't dying,' he said. 'The one statistic shows 70 people die waiting for that. I think it'd be great if that number was zero.' For more information about organ and tissue donation in Iowa and how to register, . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Iowa Donor Network honors QC emergency responders with special coin
Some Quad Cities EMS personnel were honored Friday morning for their exceptional work within the community. Thirty-one members of the EMS of Scott County, Bettendorf and Davenport fire departments were honored by the Iowa Donor Network with the EMS Challenge Coin. The coin, which says 'Saving Lives Beyond the Call,' recognizes EMS providers for their role in offering hope and healing across our community. 'It's incredible to know that so many people were touched by something that otherwise might be disastrous for a family. Helping people has always been a passion of mine. It's a fantastic profession. It's self-driven, very independent, and you can impact a lot of lives in the community,' said Claire Spaete, with MEDIC EMS of Scott County. MEDIC EMS, Bettendorf Fire and Davenport Fire are credited with transporting patients whose donations resulted in 23 organ transplants, four corneas and musculoskeletal tissue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
