A Give Life Tree is on display at the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse as part of Donate Life Month and in honor of former County IT Director Andrew Meyers who passed away in May 2024.

Every year, the State of Iowa partners with the Iowa Donor Network to recognize April as National Donate Life Month. The Iowa DOT urges counties to help spread awareness in the hope that more Iowa residents will choose to be an organ and tissue donor and add it to their driver’s license. This year, it was important to the county Treasurer’s office that they recognize their friend and colleague, Andrew Meyers as part of this initiative. Meyers  was an organ donor, and thanks he and his family’s generosity, he helped save many lives after his tragic fatal motorcycle accident.

 During April, the “Give Life Tree” will be on display by the Treasurer’s office on the second floor of the courthouse. This year’s theme is “Let Life Sing!” The Treasurer’s office hopes that all organ donors will put their name on a leaf that they can place on the tree. Additionally, if you have an organ donor you would like to recognize who has passed, the office asks for a cardinal on which you may write their name and place on the tree in their tribute. Liz Markert with the Iowa Donor Network had a booth set up at the courthouse last week and she said that organ donors can save many lives.

“Most people don’t understand the significance of even being a tissue donor. The tissue involves many things including the valves, veins and cartilage and there are just so many things that one person can benefit from. One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and they can enhance 50-300 lives through tissue donation.”

Hear more about organ donation from Markert on an upcoming Let’s Talk Knoxville.