LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Locally-based organ, eye and tissue transplant recipients, living donors and deceased donor families joined local elected officials and OneLegacy community partners earlier this week for the unveiling of the 2019 Donate Life Rose Parade® float. The gathering was part of the float’s First Look event, which featured the placing of dedicated roses on the float. These roses included individually dedicated rose vials, honoring those who have given the gift of life, received the gift of life or are waiting to receive the gift of life through transplantation.
The 2019 Donate Life float’s theme, “Rhythm of the Heart,” is an exciting design that invites audiences to experience the music of Africa through vibrant, colorful features, including musical instruments and cultural artifacts that represent different African countries and cultures. It was designed by award-winning float designer Charles Meier and complements the Rose Parade’s overall theme of “The Melody of Life,” which celebrates music as the universal language.
This year’s Donate Life Rose Parade float will feature a total of 70 participants from all around the nation. Present at the float unveiling were local riders Jolene Vargas and Cathy Mora; walkers Rachel Bennett Steury and Gary Frey; and the families of local floragraph honorees Dennis Brown, Erik Fitzpatrick, Joseluis Cruz, Francisco Esparza, Josh Pearlman, Alexander Sonora and Dylan Stump. Also taking part in the ceremony was two-time organ recipient and Tournament of Roses President Gerald Freeny.
“Nationally there are over 116,000 people waiting to receive a lifesaving heart, liver, lung, kidney or pancreas transplant; but there are simply not enough donors to meet the growing need,” said Tom Mone, chairman of the Donate Life Rose Parade float committee and CEO of OneLegacy, the nonprofit organ, eye and tissue recovery organization serving the greater Los Angeles area. “It is our hope that our float calls attention to this message and motivates individuals from around the world to register to be a donor.”
The Donate Life Rose Parade float is produced by OneLegacy and is made possible thanks to over 50 sponsoring donation, transplant, healthcare and family-care organizations and individuals who help make donation and transplant possible across the country. As the world’s most visible campaign to inspire organ, eye and tissue donation, the Donate Life Rose Parade float, now in its 16th year, is the centerpiece of a national effort to reach a broad audience with the simple, life-giving message that organ, eye and tissue donation saves and heals lives. Register today to become an organ, eye or tissue donor by visiting DonateLife.net.
About OneLegacy
OneLegacy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and healing lives through organ, eye and tissue donation in seven counties in Southern California: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Kern. Serving more than 200 hospitals, 11 transplant centers and a diverse population of nearly 20 million, OneLegacy is the largest organ, eye and tissue recovery organization in the world. For more information, visit onelegacy.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
About Donate Life America
Donate Life America is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit alliance of national organizations and state teams across the United States committed to increasing organ, eye and tissue donation. Donate Life America manages and promotes the national brand for donation, Donate Life, and assists Donate Life State Teams and national partners in facilitating high-performing donor registries; developing and executing effective multimedia donor education programs; and motivating the American public to register now as organ, eye and tissue donors. Register today by visiting DonateLife.net.
