2 Iowans To Be Honored During Rose Parade for Organ Donation

Choosing to become an organ donor is a wonderful, selfless decision. It is saying that even in the event of your untimely death, many others will be able to go on living. There is no greater gift. Two Iowans will be honored this weekend for the gift of life they both gave by being organ donors themselves.

KCRG reports that the Iowa Donor Network will be honoring Amanda Wilken of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Emily Bohnsack of Wilton, Iowa. Both will be honored this weekend and will appear on the '2023 Donate Life' Rose Parade float in Pasadena. The float is part of a national campaign to help share the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation with the thousands of people who watch the Rose Parade each year.

The amazing entry in the 2023 Rose Parade will honor 59 donors, including the two from Iowa, and the amazing gift of life they passed on to countless others. Amanda Wilken passed away in 2018 in a car crash at the age of 23. KCRG reports that she helped heal 251 people through the gift of organ donation. Emily Bohnsack was just 16 when she died in a car crash in 2010. Her organ and tissue donations have helped 226 different people.

KCRG reports that both families are traveling to Pasadena to help put the finishing touches on the float. The Iowa Donor Network has covered all of their travel expenses. If you would like information on how you can become an organ donor, just visit IowaDonorNetork.org.

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The ABCs of Iowa

I know Iowa may not be the most popular state to visit, but we still have plenty to offer! Using countless article, websites, lists, and maps, we put together a list of some of Iowa's best and biggest events, venues, and attractions using every letter of the alphabet (which wasn't easy)! Unfortunately, we couldn't include EVERY awesome place in the state (there aren't enough letters!), but here are our Iowa ABCs: