Amanda Wilken

Type of Donation:          tissue and corneas

Age and Location:          Age 23 – Norwalk, IA

Donation Date:             10/11/2018

Sponsor:                   Honored by Iowa Donor Network

AMANDA’S STORY

Amanda Wilken was a vibrant, driven, beautiful young woman with a great sense of humor and a soft heart.  After high school in 2013, she attended Drake University with a goal of achieving a Doctorate of Pharmacy and a Masters of Business Administration, 6 years of schooling.  A gifted academic, she was on track to graduate in May of 2019. After graduation, Amanda aspired to work as a pharmacist, aiding mental health patients at the VA Hospital in Des Moines. She always wanted to help others and had a strong passion to help veterans.  

Amanda loved spending time with her family and made sure that everyone knew that she was her grandma and grandpa’s favorite grandchild! Pets were considered family and she loved her orange tabby, Cheddar and her pride and joy was her chocolate lab, Riggins. 

Sadly, Amanda was unable to realize her post-graduation goals. On October 11, 2018, Amanda’s life was taken in an instant, at the young age of 23, in a tragic traffic accident. Her kindness and generosity continued even after her untimely death, as a tissue and cornea donor. To date, she has changed the lives of 251 people in the United States, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Malaysia.  

Amanda’s mom, Jeanine Flies and her husband John, had no idea Amanda was a registered donor until they received a phone call from Iowa Donor Network to discuss her final wishes. 

Jeanine shared that she was unable to put into words the amount of love that she feels for Amanda’s selfless choice to become a donor. “As I have tried to understand the tragic loss of my only child, I find moments of peace knowing the blessings she left for others by being a donor. As you look at the world every day, please remember the beautiful blue-eyed girl who cared about others her entire life and after.”

Jeanine donates her time, talent and many tears to educate audiences on the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. Her mission is to change as many lives as possible through the continual story of her beautiful daughter.