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    LATEST NEWS Deputy Surgeon General Dr. Kenneth P. Moritsugu, Olympic Medalist Snowboarder Chris Klug Lead Float Riders. 22 Float Riders to Ride Inaugural Float  |
2004 Coalition on Donation Rose Parade Float Rider
Murrieta, CA Age: 21 Occupation: College student Sponsored by: Lifesharing Carissa was born in Honolulu with transposition of the arteries. While a number of procedures kept her heart functioning, illness prevented her from going to the prom or walking with her class at high school graduation. Says Carissa about riding the Coalition on Donation Rose Parade float: "This is my prom." While awaiting a transplant, she had an ICD pacemaker/defibrulator. Carissa underwent a heart transplant at UCLA on October 14, 2001. While at the hospital, a nurse introduced her to Brendan Fehr of "Roswell." ("That was the best day ever! He even gave me a hug!") While awaiting her transplant at UCLA, her coordinator told me about Camp del Corazon, a camp for kids with heart defects or kids who have or have had heart-related problems and/or transplants. She signed up as a counselor on their website. ("This has been such a great job to do! It's only once a year but it feels so good to make children with heart problems feel normal, if only for a week!") She loves children and is now attending school full-time to become an elementary school teacher. |
Carissa Carmichael