AIDAN JAMES HOOPER, TISSUE DONOR HERO / May 16, 2005 - July 4, 2013
LIFESHARE ANNOUNCES 2018 ROSE PARADE FLORAGRAPH HONOREE
Addison Hooper, Aidan’s little sister, and Susannah Hooper, Aidan’s mother,
apply the finishing touches to the floragraph of Aidan.
apply the finishing touches to the floragraph of Aidan.
Edmond Boy to be Honored in National Parade as a Tissue Donor
LifeShare of Oklahoma announced that tissue donor, Aidan Hooper, of Edmond, will be the Floragraph Honoree for the 2018 Rose Parade.
Every year, LifeShare of Oklahoma helps sponsor the Donate Life Float in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day to spread the message about organ, eye and tissue donation. As a sponsor, LifeShare is able to send one donor portrait to be honored on the float.
Aidan will be honored as a tissue donor in a floragraph. A floragraph is a portrait of the donor, created with floral materials such as seeds, grains, spices, dried flowers and other organic materials. He is one of 44 donors to be featured on this year’s float.
At the event, the Hooper family shared a few stories about Aidan and his giving heart. They also were able to put the final touches on Aidan’s floragraph to ride on the Donate Life float.
The 2018 float depicts a vibrantly colored, tropical backdrop that dates back to the ancient civilizations of Mexico. It celebrates the gift of life as 17 costumed riders sit alongside the jungle, against stone carvings, drawing on the strength they have gained from their donors to continue and thrive on life’s journey.
The monumental Aztec calendar draws the eye to the center of the float, where donors are honored with floragraphs. The ancient calendar is a reminder of the enduring life-saving power of the generosity of donors and families. Alongside the float, eight living donors and recipients will carry baskets of fruit and flowers in celebration of the renewed life they have shared with one another and the world.
LifeShare of Oklahoma announced that tissue donor, Aidan Hooper, of Edmond, will be the Floragraph Honoree for the 2018 Rose Parade.
Every year, LifeShare of Oklahoma helps sponsor the Donate Life Float in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day to spread the message about organ, eye and tissue donation. As a sponsor, LifeShare is able to send one donor portrait to be honored on the float.
Aidan will be honored as a tissue donor in a floragraph. A floragraph is a portrait of the donor, created with floral materials such as seeds, grains, spices, dried flowers and other organic materials. He is one of 44 donors to be featured on this year’s float.
At the event, the Hooper family shared a few stories about Aidan and his giving heart. They also were able to put the final touches on Aidan’s floragraph to ride on the Donate Life float.
The 2018 float depicts a vibrantly colored, tropical backdrop that dates back to the ancient civilizations of Mexico. It celebrates the gift of life as 17 costumed riders sit alongside the jungle, against stone carvings, drawing on the strength they have gained from their donors to continue and thrive on life’s journey.
The monumental Aztec calendar draws the eye to the center of the float, where donors are honored with floragraphs. The ancient calendar is a reminder of the enduring life-saving power of the generosity of donors and families. Alongside the float, eight living donors and recipients will carry baskets of fruit and flowers in celebration of the renewed life they have shared with one another and the world.
Hooper Family (r to l: Susannah, Quinton and Addison) admire the floragraph of
Aidan Hooper, which is being held by LifeShare President and CEO, Jeffrey Orlowski.
Aidan Hooper, which is being held by LifeShare President and CEO, Jeffrey Orlowski.
AIDAN'S STORY
Aidan Hooper, of Edmond, Okla., had a way of creating adventure out of everything he did. He had a huge, loving heart and was quick to share that love. He was always conscious of others’ feelings and was a best friend to everyone.
During Aidan’s first Catholic Mass at a family reunion, the priest announced it was time for “The Sign of Peace.” Aidan went all-in by trying to offer peace and hugs to everyone in the room. Aidan was raised to love his country and be appreciative to service men and women, which he took to heart. One time, his family almost missed their flight because Aidan wanted to individually thank every service person that was coming off another plane. He was committed to Taekwondo. His father studied martial arts in Japan and it quickly became a special bond between the father and son. When Aidan achieved the rank of a camo belt, his family found it fitting for his love of the military and his outdoor nature.
Combining his love for his country and Taekwondo, Aidan had the opportunity to ride on his Taekwondo School’s float in the Edmond, Oklahoma LibertyFest parade. The parade was a part of an Independence Day celebration in Edmond. His school was like a second family for him, so it was going to be a fun morning for Aidan and his father. At the end of the parade, a tragic accident occurred and Aidan was unable to survive. His family was determined to find the good in such a heartbreaking accident and initiated a conversation with his nurses about organ and tissue donation.
Even at the end of his short and precious life, Aidan was all-in with heart. He was able to give the gift of life by becoming a tissue donor, saving the lives of a two-year-old girl and a six-month-old girl.
The celebration of Aidan’s life now comes full circle as he is featured on the Donate Life Float.
“We are thankful to have the opportunity to honor Aidan and his family, at the Rose Parade this year as they represent the lifesaving gifts of organ, eye and tissue donation,” said Jeffrey Orlowski, President and Chief Executive Officer of LifeShare of Oklahoma. “With a U.S. television audience in the tens of millions and a worldwide audience in the hundreds of millions, Aidan will not only be representing the importance of donation, he will serve as a representative of Oklahoma and the approximately 700 citizens of the state who are waiting on a lifesaving transplant.”
LifeShare encourages everyone across the state to tune-in to watch the 129th Rose Parade on New Year’s Day 2018.
During Aidan’s first Catholic Mass at a family reunion, the priest announced it was time for “The Sign of Peace.” Aidan went all-in by trying to offer peace and hugs to everyone in the room. Aidan was raised to love his country and be appreciative to service men and women, which he took to heart. One time, his family almost missed their flight because Aidan wanted to individually thank every service person that was coming off another plane. He was committed to Taekwondo. His father studied martial arts in Japan and it quickly became a special bond between the father and son. When Aidan achieved the rank of a camo belt, his family found it fitting for his love of the military and his outdoor nature.
Combining his love for his country and Taekwondo, Aidan had the opportunity to ride on his Taekwondo School’s float in the Edmond, Oklahoma LibertyFest parade. The parade was a part of an Independence Day celebration in Edmond. His school was like a second family for him, so it was going to be a fun morning for Aidan and his father. At the end of the parade, a tragic accident occurred and Aidan was unable to survive. His family was determined to find the good in such a heartbreaking accident and initiated a conversation with his nurses about organ and tissue donation.
Even at the end of his short and precious life, Aidan was all-in with heart. He was able to give the gift of life by becoming a tissue donor, saving the lives of a two-year-old girl and a six-month-old girl.
The celebration of Aidan’s life now comes full circle as he is featured on the Donate Life Float.
“We are thankful to have the opportunity to honor Aidan and his family, at the Rose Parade this year as they represent the lifesaving gifts of organ, eye and tissue donation,” said Jeffrey Orlowski, President and Chief Executive Officer of LifeShare of Oklahoma. “With a U.S. television audience in the tens of millions and a worldwide audience in the hundreds of millions, Aidan will not only be representing the importance of donation, he will serve as a representative of Oklahoma and the approximately 700 citizens of the state who are waiting on a lifesaving transplant.”
LifeShare encourages everyone across the state to tune-in to watch the 129th Rose Parade on New Year’s Day 2018.
