OneLegacy’s Rose Parade Float Promotes Life-Saving Organ Donation

The annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, will feature a float dedicated to raising awareness about organ donation, sponsored by the health agency OneLegacy. The float, which will appear in the 2026 parade, aims to highlight the importance of life-extending organ donations, especially during this season of giving.

OneLegacy, a federal organ procurement organization serving Orange County and much of Southern California, has participated in the Rose Parade since 2004. This year, the float will showcase 20 transplant recipients, who will ride and wave to the crowd, alongside circular floral portraits, known as floragraphs, of deceased organ donors. Additionally, four living donors will also take part, sharing their stories of generosity.

Sarah Fahey, the creative services and digital marketing coordinator for OneLegacy, emphasized the significance of the float. “We’re kind of the bridge to life,” she stated, illustrating the organization’s role in connecting donors with recipients. The float will be crafted from organic materials, seeds, and flowers, enhancing its message of life and renewal.

Inspiration for organ donation can arise from unexpected sources. Shey Rodriguez, a 34-year-old from Ontario, California, became motivated to donate part of her liver after watching an episode of the medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy.” Intrigued by the idea of living donation, she began her journey by completing a questionnaire at Keck Hospital of USC.

Rodriguez underwent a thorough pre-donation process, which included blood tests and a liver biopsy. Despite feeling nervous, she decided to proceed with the surgery in 2023. “You know what, it will grow back,” Rodriguez reflected on her decision to donate. After a successful procedure, she experienced some post-surgery pain but was pleased to learn that her liver regenerated within six months.

The impact of her donation resonates deeply with Rodriguez. Although she has yet to meet the recipient, she received a thank-you card on the day of surgery. “I just hope they get to experience life the way that I do,” she expressed, emphasizing her desire for the recipient to enjoy life without limitations.

The need for organ donations is critical. Currently, over 100,000 people in the United States are awaiting transplants, with about 90,000 of those waiting for a kidney. According to OneLegacy, only around 50,000 kidney transplants are performed each year due to a significant shortage of donors. Fahey noted, “You can donate a lobe of your liver and it will regenerate, and the other person’s life can be saved.”

Shawn Kortes, a Huntington Beach resident, is one of those waiting for a kidney. On a decade-long transplant list, he relies on nightly peritoneal dialysis to manage his condition. “There’s not a day that goes by when I don’t have to think about the fact that I’m slowly dying,” he shared, reflecting on the emotional toll of his situation.

Kortes, whose blood type is O-negative, faces additional challenges in finding a suitable donor. He highlighted the importance of community awareness and the potential for living donors to make a significant impact. “The hope is to get a new kidney as quickly as possible,” he said, underscoring the urgency of his search.

OneLegacy encourages individuals to consider organ donation, whether during their lifetime or after passing. “You can either be a donor or not, but the option is there,” said Tania Llavaneras, a media relations specialist for OneLegacy. She noted that registering as a donor costs nothing and can save lives.

As the Rose Parade approaches, the float will serve as a powerful reminder of the gift of life that organ donation represents. The event will not only celebrate those who have received transplants but also honor the selfless acts of donors like Rodriguez, whose decisions can profoundly change lives.