About the Give Life 5K and Iowa Donor Network

Why We Walk, Run + Roll

I’m Donor Dog, but you can call me DD!

The Give Life 5K honors those who have given the gift of life, celebrates the lives of organ and tissue recipients, and recognizes those who continue to wait for a life-saving transplant. This is a family-friendly event so no matter your skill level, the Give Life 5K is open to everyone. Honor and support those who have been impacted by organ, eye and tissue donation and celebrate the gift of life!

In 2024, 130 donor heroes in Iowa gifted a remarkable 387 organs for transplant and an unprecedented 1,118 tissue donors, with unwavering generosity, enhanced the lives of 50-300 individuals each. Iowa Donor Network also served 1,155 donor families in 2024.

History of the Give Life 5K

At 18 months old, Ted Cochran underwent surgery for a bladder blockage, but his kidneys sustained permanent damage, leading to a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease. Over the years, Ted endured multiple major surgeries and lengthy hospital stays. At 19, he went into septic shock, causing further kidney damage that progressed to end-stage kidney disease, requiring a transplant. Ted’s mother, Carla Cochran, was a match and donated her kidney, giving Ted the “Gift of Life” on August 29, 2006.

In gratitude, Ted founded the My Angel Foundation to inspire Iowans to register as organ donors. In 2008, as part of this mission, he launched the Green 5K Fun Run and Walk to raise awareness about organ, tissue, and eye donation, honor donors, celebrate recipients, and recognize those still waiting for transplants.

In 2017, My Angel Foundation partnered with Iowa Donor Network to promote and plan the 5K. In April 2019, the event was officially handed over to Iowa Donor Network. In 2024, the 5K was rebranded to better convey its mission and impact.

Share Your Story

Each year, participants of the Give Life 5K are invited to share WHY they walk, run or roll to support organ, eye and tissue donation.

Sharing your personal connection could make an impact you may not realize. Organ and tissue donation has a ripple effect and so does your story. You never know when yours will touch someone’s heart and inspire them to register as a donor or share their story.

Circle of Life Garden

Back by popular demand, the Circle of Life Garden are posters which proudly display images and names honoring those who have been impacted by organ, eye, and tissue donation. Individuals featured include organ and tissue donors, organ transplant recipients, and living donors who have given, or received, the gift of life. At the 5K these posters will line the walkway of the Start and Finish line for all participating to admire. The Garden is a place for family and friends to gather and remember their loved ones during the Give Life 5K.

We would love our families to be able to display their loved ones poster at home leading up to the 5K and take it home with them after if they choose. If the posters are left in Iowa Donor Network's care, they may be displayed at other Iowa Donor Network events to honor their gift. On race day, please drop your poster off with our volunteers at the Circle of Life tent to set up for you.

You may purchase a poster during registration for $15.

Posters will be available for pick-up after your registration is completed. Creation of your poster may take 1-2 weeks. An Iowa Donor Network employee will notify you when your poster is available.

Circle of Life Honor Wall

Located at the Circle of Life tent, the Honor Wall is a place for you to honor your loved one by answering the prompt "The Reason I Walk...", adding your response to the wall along with any photos or items to honor them. The tent will also have a Why We Run banner to sign and other activities.

Who We Are

Iowa Donor Network is a non-profit organization that operates as the primary contact for organ, tissue, and eye donation services for the state of Iowa. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have certified Iowa Donor Network to function as the single organ procurement agency in the state. Iowa Donor Network also serves as the tissue recovery agency for the state.

As an organization, we strive to provide the best possible care to our donor families, facilitate the recovery of organs and tissues, educate the communities we serve, and support special events to promote donation throughout Iowa. To fulfill our mission, we collaborate with the Iowa Lions Eye Bank, healthcare professionals, and organizations statewide to honor the gift of life.

What We Do

• Provide Iowans with the information needed to make an informed decision about becoming a registered donor
• Manage the Iowa Donor Registry
• Support and honor donor families
• Design processes to ensure the safety of donated organs and tissue
• Provide clinical support for organ and tissue recovery
• Educate professional partners about the donation process