With nearly 200 stories published in local and national media, and feature stories on national and local television, the Donate Life Rose Parade Float has made a big impact in only two years of appearance in the world’s third most-watched entertainment event.
“When we started this program, we had no idea of the breadth of emotional response the float could evoke,” says 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 area. “We not only reach tens of millions of viewers through the parade broadcast, but we reach millions more in local communities through the stories of float riders and volunteers who come to Pasadena to join in creating a living tribute to organ and tissue donors, recipients and their loved ones.”
In the spirit of the 2006 Rose Parade theme, It’s Magical, the Donate Life float will feature 22 riders, including Kade Howard, who feel magically touched by organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
As a patron sponsor of the Donate Life float, LifeShare of Oklahoma, was given the opportunity to select a representative to ride on the float. “There were so many wonderful donor families that we considered,” says Phil Van Stavern, LifeShare’s director of communications, “but the Howards were chosen, and they will be excellent representatives of all our donor families.”
Dalton’s older brother, Kade, will ride on the float holding a framed photograph of his little brother.
“It’s bittersweet, of course,” says Kelly Howard, “but we look at it as a way to honor Dalton and perpetuate the goodness of his heart, and help other people at the same time.”
The float’s 22 riders, hailing from communities across the country, will have a chance to help construct the float and ride on it during the parade.
“We're delighted to again work with the donation and transplantation community in their third Rose Parade appearance,” says Chris Lofthouse, president of Phoenix Decorating Co., which has designed and will build the Donate Life float. “This group and their volunteers bring a tremendous spirit and sensitivity to the parade as they share their inspiring stories of caring and giving.”
“More than 90,000 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 Bosch, president 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 Donate Life Rose Parade Float is supported by dozens of official partners from across the nation, including organ and/or tissue recovery organizations, non-profit and for-profit organizations, transplant centers and transplant recipient organizations.
The 117th Rose Parade, themed It’s Magical, will take place on Monday, January 2, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. CST, and the Howards are taking along the latest edition to the family, Lakin Hope Howard, born on Oct. 30th. “Dalton always wanted a little sister,” says Kelly.
