“Kodak was looking for an organization with similar values to help us decorate our float,” said Robert W. Mayhue, Manager, Alliance Marketing, Eastman Kodak Company. “Kodak chose the Donate Life volunteers because we admire their organization and its purpose. We’re extremely pleased they’ll be helping us cover our parade entry with the flowers, seeds and other natural ingredients that bring our spectacular 2005 float to life.”
In appreciation of the volunteers’ decorating assistance, the Kodak float will depict eight Southern California organ donors among the scores of images that will appear on the wings of gigantic floral butterflies. Because the images will be depicted in flowers, they’ve been dubbed “floralgraphs” by Kodak.
Two family members of one of the depicted organ donors will also ride on the Kodak float. Larry Waldie Jr. of West Covina, Calif., and Joe Madera of Valinda, Calif. will ride in honor of organ donor Patricia Madera de Waldie, their wife and sister, respectively. They will join other donor families for decorating, which begins on Saturday, December 4 at the Phoenix Decorating Co. Rose Palace at 835 S. Raymond Ave. in Pasadena.
The eight organ donors depicted in floralgraphs on butterfly wings on the Kodak float are:
“It is a tremendous honor to have my son represented on the Kodak float,” says donor mother Kay LaRue. “I will take great care with every seed and flower I place on Memory Lane.”
The 116th Rose Parade, themed Celebrate Family, will take place on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005 at 8:00am PST featuring spirited marching bands from throughout the nation, majestic floral floats and high-stepping equestrian units.
Donate Life Returns to Rose Parade® with 23 Extraordinary Riders Heralding Life-Saving Organ, Tissue Donation; Riders Include Family of Nicholas Green and Columbine Survivor
LOS ANGELES, CA, September 7, 2004 – Twenty-three people from across the U.S. will proudly ride proudly down Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Day to demonstrate how many families benefit from the gift of organ and tissue donation. A nationwide partnership of organizations united to inspire all people to “Donate Life” through organ and tissue donation today announced the featured riders. These individuals represent living donors, donor family members and transplant recipients, whose presence on the float underscores its theme, Many Families, One Gift.
“Our float promises to bring a distinct dimension to the Tournament of Roses Parade theme, Celebrate Family,” said Bryan Stewart, chairman of the Donate Life Rose Parade Float organizing committee and director of communications for OneLegacy, the transplant donor network serving 18 million people in Southern California. “Organ and tissue donation saves lives and strengthens families. Donor families honor their loved ones’ legacies of caring and generosity, while transplant recipients and their families regain health and hope. All families can celebrate life by choosing to be organ and tissue donors.”
Float riders include the family of Nicholas Green, the young boy whose murder in Italy 10 years ago this month and subsequent donation of multiple organs spurred a global surge in donation called “The Nicholas Effect.” Reg, Maggie and Eleanor Green are joined by 10 pairs of float riders who illustrate how families are strengthened through the power of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The riders, ranging in age from 13 to 75, hail from communities throughout the nation, including California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Oklahoma. Complete information on all riders is now available by clicking in on the Donate Life/Rose Parade logo at www.onelegacy.org.
Kacey Ruegsegger and her sister, Britney Ruegsegger, will travel from Littleton, Colo. to celebrate the gift of bone tissue that enabled Kacey to keep and use her arm and hand following shotgun blasts in the library at Columbine High School. Kacey, who is completing her nursing degree, acknowledged that “my experience with Columbine really did help me want to become a nurse. While I was in the hospital fighting horrible injuries, I had such wonderful nurses that made such a difference in my recovery and taking care of my family as well. I want to make that kind of difference in other people's lives.”
From the East Coast come sisters Deborah Quick and Mary Palmer of Staten Island, N.Y. and Somerset N.J., who donated the organs and tissues of both a brother and sister. In Darien Center, N.Y., husband and wife Dan and Ellie Tomczak have experienced both sides of donation: Ellie survived due to a kidney transplant, and out of gratitude Dan later donated his kidney anonymously. The recipient turned out to be Michael Stern of Deerfield Beach, Fla., who met Dan a year ago, talks with him regularly, and feels deeply that “Dan is inside me.”
More than 86,000 Americans currently await organ transplants, while every year hundreds of thousands of people need donated tissue to prevent or cure blindness, heal burns or save limbs. In 2004, America celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first successful organ transplant—a miracle of modern medicine that for two generations has paved the way for hundreds of thousands of individuals and their families to enjoy longer, fuller lives together.
According to David Fleming, executive director of the Coalition on Donation, “the Rose Parade offers a unique setting to inspire more than 40 million viewers to make the commitment to donate life, discuss organ and tissue donation with their families, and sign up to be donors in states with donor registries.”
Fifteen of the riders represent transplant recipients and seven are living donors or donor family members. In addition to the families described above, float rider families include:
· Lynn Allred, 49, of Carteret, N.J., who received a kidney from friend Tammy Schlesinger, 43, also of Carteret;
· Nancy Eluskie, 62, of River Ridge, Mich., who donated tissue to nephew Tim Eluskie, 40, of Pinckney, Mich.;
· Derrick Floyd, 40, and son Derrick "D.J." Floyd, Jr., 13, of Charlotte, N.C., who celebrate Derrick’s kidney transplant;
· Nimfa Melesio, 41, and daughter Susana Melesio, 18, of Berwyn, Ill., who celebrate Nimfa’s new life after a liver transplant;
· Chyrrel and Dr. Richard Mock, Jr., 57 and 65 respectively, of Edmond, Okla., who donated the tissue of their daughter Anna, who was killed in a car accident;
· Kelly Olmo, 17, who survived neonatal hepatitis by receiving a liver transplant at age two, and her mother, Cathy Olmo, 46, of Pleasanton, Calif.;
· Analia Quintanar, 19, of Bellflower, Calif., who received a kidney from her twin sister, Liliana Quintanar, of La Puente, Calif.
Spearheaded by Coalition on Donation member OneLegacy, the Donate Life Rose Parade Float is supported by more than 50 official partners from across the nation, including organ and tissue recovery organizations, for-profit contributors, transplant centers and transplant recipient organizations. Many Families, One Gift will present a park scene in full blossom with families enjoying the simple pleasures of everyday life. The scene is accented by symbols of life, including water flowing gracefully in a fountain, a bridge linking people together, and a majestic full-grown tree.
The 116th Rose Parade, themed Celebrate Family, will take place on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005 at 8:00am PST featuring spirited marching bands from throughout the nation, majestic floral floats and high-stepping equestrian units.
2005 Donate Life Rose Parade® Float Design Joins ‘Many Families’ Touched by ‘One Gift’ of Organ and Tissue Donation; Float to Focus on How the Gift of Life Saves Lives and Strengthens Families
CHICAGO, IL, June 17, 2004 – A nationwide partnership of organizations united to inspire all people to “Donate Life” through organ and tissue donation unveiled its 2005 Rose Parade® float design today at the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) meeting in Chicago. The new float follows the highly successful launch last year of a nationwide effort to raise awareness and support of donation as a participant in America’s New Year Celebration.®
Carrying the theme Many Families, One Gift, the Donate Life Rose Parade float will feature 23 riders—representing living donors, donor family members and transplant recipients—all enjoying a sunny day in the park surrounded by symbols of life: a three-tiered water fountain, a garden bridge, an ornate gazebo, and a sturdy tree. Riders include a special honorary family plus 10 pairs of float riders who, be they directly related or sharing a close bond, illustrate how families are strengthened through the power of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The riders will hail from communities throughout the nation, including California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Oklahoma.
“Family is the core of the celebration of life, and the gift of organ and tissue donation saves, enhances and strengthens the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals and their loved ones every year,” said Bryan Stewart, chairman of the Donate Life Rose Parade Float organizing committee and director of communications for OneLegacy, the transplant donor network serving Southern California.
The Donate Life float promises to bring a distinct dimension to the Tournament of Roses Parade theme, Celebrate Family. “Donation is a celebration for not only those whose health and families are renewed by organ or tissue transplantation, but also for donor families who honor their loved ones’ legacies of caring and generosity,” said Stewart.
More than 85,000 Americans currently await organ transplants, while every year hundreds of thousands of people need donated tissue to prevent or cure blindness, heal burns or save limbs. In 2004, America celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first successful organ transplant—a miracle of modern medicine that for two generations has paved the way for hundreds of thousands of individuals and their families to enjoy longer, fuller lives together.
“The Rose Parade offers a unique setting to inspire people to make the commitment to donate life, discuss organ and tissue donation with their families, and sign up to be donors in states with donor registries,” said David Fleming, executive director of the Coalition on Donation.
Award-winning float builder Phoenix Decorating Co. designed the new float. “We're delighted to again join this special community as a contributing partner of the Donate Life float,” said Bill Lofthouse, president of Phoenix Decorating. “As a parade participant, the donation and transplantation community brings tremendous energy and meaning to the parade as they share their inspiring stories of courage and compassion in the face of adversity.”
Spearheaded by Coalition on Donation member OneLegacy, Many Families, One Gift is supported by dozens of official partners from across the nation, including organ and tissue recovery organizations, for-profit contributors, transplant centers and transplant recipient organizations.
The 116th Rose Parade, themed Celebrate Family, will take place on Saturday, January 1, 2005 at 8:00am PST featuring spirited marching bands from throughout the nation, majestic floral floats and high-stepping equestrian units.
For Information Call: Rivian Bell, JDI Communications, (213) 612-4927 or Bryan Stewart, (213) 401-1226
2005 Donate Life Rose Parade® Float to Spotlight Families Saves and Strengthened by Organ and Tissue Donation; Rider Pairings and Stories to Bring “Celebrate Family” Parade Theme to Life
LOS ANGELES, CA, March 16, 2004 – Organ and tissue donors, transplant recipients and their family members will celebrate their family ties on New Year’s Day 2005 as the Donate Life Rose Parade Float makes its second appearance in the Tournament of Roses® Parade.
In keeping with the theme of the 2005 Rose Parade, Celebrate Family, the Donate Life float will feature eleven pairs of riders who, be they directly related or bonded like family, illustrate how families are saved, extended, created and otherwise strengthened through the power of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
“Organ and tissue donation doesn’t just save lives, it saves families,” said Bryan Stewart, chairman of the Donate Life Rose Parade Float organizing committee and director of communications for OneLegacy, the transplant donor network serving the Greater Los Angeles region. “Our float riders’ stories of hope and inspiration in the face of adversity and illness will help millions of viewers understand that by donating life, we have the power to save lives as well as strengthen donor and recipient families alike.”
The float rider pairs, each sponsored by Patron partners of the Donate Life Rose Parade float, will hail from communities throughout the nation. Float rider sponsors include AlloSource; American Red Cross Transplant Services; California Transplant Donor Network; Coalition on Donation; Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network; Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation; New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network; OneLegacy; RTI Donor Services; and Upstate New York Transplant Services, Inc.
Entered in the 2004 Rose Parade under the Coalition on Donation name, the Donate Life float has adopted as its namesake the call to action that makes life-saving transplantation possible.
"We're delighted to again work with the donation and transplantation community in their second Tournament of Roses Parade appearance,” said Bill Lofthouse, president of Phoenix Decorating Co., which will again design and build the Donate Life float. “This group and their volunteers bring a tremendous energy and sensitivity to the parade as they share an outstanding story of caring and giving.”
“More than 83,000 Americans currently await organ transplants, while every year hundreds of thousands of people need donated tissue to prevent or cure blindness, heal burns or save limbs,” stated David Fleming, executive director of the Coalition on Donation, whose “Empowering Testimonials” public service announcement campaign is currently circulating through the media. “The Rose Parade offers a unique setting to inspire people to make the commitment to donate life, discuss organ and tissue donation with their family, and sign up to be donors in states with donor registries.”
Spearheaded by Coalition on Donation member OneLegacy, the not-for-profit, federally designated transplant donor network serving Southern California, the Donate Life Rose Parade Float is supported by dozens of official partners from across the nation, including organ and/or tissue recovery organizations, for-profit contributors, transplant centers and transplant recipient organizations.
The 116th Rose Parade, themed Celebrate Family, will take place on Saturday, January 1, 2005 at 8:00am PST featuring spirited marching bands from throughout the nation, majestic floral floats and high-stepping equestrian units.
For Information Call: Bryan Stewart, (213) 401-1226
22 Transplant Recipients, Organ Donors And Donor Family Members to Ride Inaugural Coalition on Donation Rose Parade® Float; Riders’ Stories of Hope Inspire “A Symphony of Life”
LOS ANGELES, CA, October 2, 2003 – When the 2004 Rose Parade ushers in the New Year, it will also mark a milestone in raising awareness of the critical and growing need for organ and tissue donation as 22 individuals from throughout the country come together to ride the first-ever Coalition on Donation Rose Parade float.
“Each rider tells a unique story about the adversities and triumphs that define one’s experience as a donor or transplant recipient,” said Bryan Stewart, chairman of the Coalition’s float committee and director of communications for OneLegacy, the transplant donor network serving Southern California. “We hope that the ethnic, cultural and geographic diversity of our float riders and their personal stories will help millions of viewers understand that through donation, we each have the power to help one another in a most profound way.”
“More than 80,000 Americans currently await organ transplants, while every year hundreds of thousands of people need donated tissue to prevent or cure blindness, heal burns or save limbs,” stated David Fleming, executive director of the Coalition on Donation. “The Rose Parade offers a unique setting to inspire people to make the commitment to donate life and discuss organ and tissue donation with their family.”
Riders were nominated by organ and tissue recovery organizations, research foundations and transplant centers nationwide. Leading the contingent are Dr. Kenneth P. Moritsugu, U.S. Deputy Surgeon General and an organ donor husband and father, and snowboarder Chris Klug, who received a life-saving liver transplant 18 months before winning a bronze medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
Of special interest are Los Angeles area residents Patricia Abdullah and Mike Jones, whose chance meeting at a personal development seminar inspired her to donate a life-saving kidney to him. According to doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the only way they could have been a closer match was if they were born identical twins from the same cell—remarkable considering that Patricia is Caucasian and Mike is African American.
The riders hail from California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Ranging in age from 12 to 63, both the youngest and oldest are heart recipients. Fifteen of the riders are transplant recipients hail from and seven are donors or donor family members. Download the full list of Float Riders.
Float riders from the Greater Los Angeles area include:
· Patricia Abdullah, Sherman Oaks, editor/writer, gave her kidney two years ago to a seminar classmate, fellow float rider Mike Jones. Patricia, who belongs to the Muslim Public Affairs Council, lives her belief that “we’re all one people;”
· Dionne Brown, Oxnard, age 14, who will celebrate the one-year anniversary of her heart transplant in January, is a cheerleader and an aspiring dancer/choreographer;
· Sara Castro, Pico Rivera, age 12, began life as the 85th baby under six months of age to receive heart transplant. Sara, who received her transplant at five weeks, competed in the 2000 U.S. Transplant Games;
· Patricia Elizarraraz, Rowland Heights, patient education consultant for the National Institute of Transplantation. Patricia, who has received three kidney transplants—two from her family—in the past two decades, is now 44;
· Eunice Gibson, Los Angeles, registered nurse, watched a case of pneumonia in 1989 progress into a life-threatening lung disease. A double-lung recipient last year, Eunice today devotes time to raising awareness of donation and transplantation in the African-American community;
· Mike Jones, Los Angeles, was experiencing end-stage renal failure two years ago when he met Patricia Abdullah at a professional development seminar. As part of the program, Patricia prompted him to make an “unreasonable request” of her, which resulted in his receiving her kidney a few months later;
· Phat Mach, Westminster, is an honors student who came to the U.S. from Vietnam at age 10. A year later, he was diagnosed with kidney disease and received a transplant in June. He is now 17;
· Sharon Maupin, Sierra Madre, a vibrant great-grandmother who battled with hepatitis C infection for 30 years as a result of a tainted blood transfusion. Sharon, who finally received a liver transplant in April, is a youthful 59; and
· Catalina (Cathy) Perez, Whittier, 32, sales representative, became a “Donor Mom” when she donated her five-year-old son’s organs after he suffered fatal head injuries in an car accident. Five years later, Cathy works actively to raise donor awareness and keep Louis’s memory alive.
The Coalition on Donation Rose Parade float carries the theme A Symphony of Life and features two gardens connected by a dramatic 50-foot bridge, symbolizing the living bridge between organ and tissue donors and recipients. The beautiful floral displays will be created by hundreds of Southland residents, including donor family members celebrating their loved ones and transplant recipients honoring their donors.
Spearheaded by Coalition on Donation member OneLegacy, the not-for-profit, federally designated transplant donor network serving Southern California, the Coalition on Donation Rose Parade Float is supported by 55 partners from across the nation, including organ and/or tissue recovery organizations, industry partners, transplant centers and transplant recipient organizations.
The 115th Rose Parade, themed Music Music Music, will take place on Thursday, January 1, 2004 at 8:00am PST featuring spirited marching bands from throughout the nation, majestic floral floats and high-stepping equestrian units.
Additional information on riders and volunteer decorating opportunities may be obtained by contacting Tenaya Wallace, (213) 401-1011 or twallace@onelegacy.org
For Information Call: Bryan Stewart, (213) 401-1226
U.S. Deputy Surgeon General Dr. Kenneth P. Moritsugu and Olympic Bronze Medalist Chris Klug to Ride 2004 Coalition on Donation Rose Parade Float
RICHMOND, VA, September 2, 2003 – The Deputy Surgeon General of the United States, RADM Kenneth P. Moritsugu, MD, MPH, and Olympic bronze medalist snowboarder Chris Klug will headline a group of 20 donor family members and transplant recipients selected to ride the 2004 Coalition on Donation Rose Parade® Float.
Dr. Moritsugu is a donor husband and father, having twice given the gift of life on behalf of his loved ones. “I am honored to represent donor families as part of ‘America’s New Years Tradition’” said Moritsugu. “Participating in the Rose Parade is a wonderful way to celebrate the power each of us has to save lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation.”
Klug, a two-time Olympian in snowboarding’s giant slalom, won a bronze medal in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games 18 months after receiving a life-saving liver transplant. “Riding in the Rose Parade is one of the most wonderful ways I can think of to honor my donor and his family,” said Klug. “I can’t think of a more special way to celebrate the new year than to stand before millions of viewers and show how much they can make a difference to others such as myself.”
The Coalition on Donation, a not-for-profit alliance of local affiliates and national organizations dedicated to inspiring all people to donate life through organ and tissue donation, is a first-time float participant. Carrying the theme A Symphony of Life, the float features a beautiful garden bridge as its centerpiece, with a long trellis intertwined with florals.
“It has been wonderful to see how our Rose Parade float has energized our community,” said Bryan Stewart, chairman of the Coalition on Donation Rose Parade Float Committee. “As we head into the fall, we look forward to showing the world that organ and tissue donation and transplantation is something to be embraced, not feared. It’s about special people with inspiring stories of courage, hope and grace.”
Joining Moritsugu and Klug on the float will be 18 donor family members and transplant recipients from across the United States, including eight from Southern California.
Spearheaded by Coalition on Donation member OneLegacy, the not-for-profit, federally designated transplant donor network serving Southern California, the Coalition on Donation Rose Parade Float is supported by 46 partners from across the nation, including 25 organ and/or tissue recovery organizations, 15 industry partners, four transplant centers and two transplant recipient organizations.
The 115th Rose Parade, themed Music Music Music, will take place on Thursday, January 1, 2004 at 8:00am PST featuring spirited marching bands from throughout the nation, majestic floral floats and high-stepping equestrian units.
For Information Call: Bryan Stewart, (213) 401-1226
Coalition on Donation Unveils 2004 Rose Parade Float Design;
Donor Families and Transplant Recipients to Join Together in "A Symphony of Life"
PHILADELPHIA, PA, June 6, 2003 – The Coalition on Donation, a not-for-profit alliance of local affiliates and national organizations dedicated to inspiring all people to donate life through organ and tissue donation, unveiled its 2004 Rose Parade® float design at the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) annual meeting.
Carrying the theme A Symphony of Life, the float will feature more than a dozen donor family members and transplant recipients walking together across a beautiful garden bridge. A trellis running the length of the bridge will support a variety of intertwining florals, while two rowboats under the bridge will carry recipients and families of their organ donors.
“The Coalition on Donation’s Rose Parade float dramatically illustrates the inspiring, life-transforming connection between organ and tissue donors, their families and transplant recipients,” says David Fleming, Executive Director of the Coalition on Donation. “We hope our parade float will help people see organ and tissue donation in a positive light and inspire people to discuss donation with their families.”
“Our float theme A Symphony of Life brings a special meaning to the 2004 Rose Parade theme Music Music Music,” says Bryan Stewart, chairman of the Coalition on Donation Rose Parade Float Committee. “To those who are touched by the process, organ and tissue donation shares many hallmarks of classical music’s masterworks: profound, often divine inspiration; an intimate relationship between participants; and its essence as one of humanity’s great achievements.”
The Coalition on Donation float is being designed and built in Pasadena, Calif. by float builder Phoenix Decorating Co., the largest builder of Rose Parade floats. “We are proud of the float our designers have created,” says Bill Lofthouse, President of Phoenix Decorating Co. “We hope the inspiration that propelled our design efforts will be shared by millions of parade spectators and television viewers come January.”
Spearheaded by Coalition on Donation member OneLegacy, the not-for-profit, federally designated transplant donor network serving Southern California, the Coalition on Donation Rose Parade Float is supported by 35 partners from across the nation, including 22 organ procurement organizations, nine industry partners, and three Southern California transplant centers.
The 115th Rose Parade, themed Music Music Music, will take place on Thursday, January 1, 2004 at 8:00am PST featuring spirited marching bands from throughout the nation, majestic floral floats and high-stepping equestrian units.
For Information Call: Bryan Stewart, (213) 401-1226
Coalition on Donation to Enter Float in 2004 Rose Parade
LOS ANGELES, CA, May 1, 2003 – The Coalition on Donation, a not-for-profit alliance of local affiliates and national organizations dedicated to inspiring all people to donate life through organ and tissue donation, has been invited by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses to enter a float in the 2004 Rose Parade.
“The Coalition on Donation’s participation in the Rose Parade will dramatically communicate the positive, life-transforming benefits of organ and tissue donation to tens of millions of television viewers and parade spectators,” says David Fleming, Executive Director of the Coalition on Donation.
The vast majority of Americans are in favor of organ donation. More than half say they have signed a donor card or indicated their wish to donate on their driver's license. Although these are legal documents, organ donation is always discussed with family members prior to the donation. “We hope a beautiful floral parade float will inspire people to discuss donation with their families,” says Fleming.
The Coalition on Donation float will also serve as a focal point for those already touched by donation. “The float will provide a wonderful opportunity for donor family members to celebrate their loved ones and for transplant recipients to honor their donors by decorating and, for a lucky few, riding on the float,” says Coalition on Donation Rose Parade Float Committee chairman Bryan Stewart of OneLegacy. “Their personal stories of courage and tribute will be inspiring to Rose Parade participants and viewers alike.”
Spearheaded by Coalition on Donation member OneLegacy, the not-for-profit, federally designated transplant donor network serving Southern California, the Coalition on Donation Rose Parade Float is supported by 35 partners from across the nation, including 22 organ procurement organizations, nine industry partners, and three Southern California transplant centers.
The Coalition on Donation float will be designed and built in Pasadena by float builder Phoenix Decorating Co., the largest builder of Rose Parade floats. "We are privileged to help the Coalition on Donation inspire people to make such an important, life-saving decision," says Bill Lofthouse, President of Phoenix Decorating Co.
“We hope that our Rose Parade float will become an annual, time-honored tradition among Coalition on Donation members from all 50 states as well as the millions of people who have been personally touched by donation and transplantation,” says Fleming.
The 115th Rose Parade, themed Music Music Music, will take place on Thursday, January 1, 2004 at 8:00am PST featuring spirited marching bands from throughout the nation, majestic floral floats and high-stepping equestrian units.
For Information Call: Bryan Stewart, (213) 401-1226
