Amanda Katherine Seraphin had a smile and a zest that permeated her body and soul. She adored her big sister, loved family and friends. She also loved being a teacher’s aide at an elementary school and teaching horseback riding. She competed in equestrian events all over Southern California and gave 110%.

But on April 23, 2003, a horse accident took the life of 25-year-old Amanda. “With no medical options, doctors told us that she would not survive. A family decision wrenched our souls but left no doubt that Amanda would want to donate her organs,” said her mother, Liz.

“OneLegacy was now in our lives. Gregg, a donor transplant coordinator, became a unique member of our family at that moment. He brought a warm ray of light each time he announced a match for one of Amanda’s organs,” Liz remembered. “Gregg balanced the clinical side of donation with a rare and delicate understanding of the news he brought to our dark world. His relentless mission, day and night, without sleep, in the end brought family, friends, doctors and nurses to a point of cheering with him as we escorted Amanda, lying peacefully on her gurney, to the operating room doors, not to return.”

So that other donor families don’t feel isolated, the Seraphin family became Donate Life Ambassadors. They share their unique experience with the community at a variety of venues such as the UCLA National Youth Leadership Conference for Med Students; death and dying classes at area colleges, universities, high schools and grief centers; and via the media.

Amanda has been honored in a number of ways: her name is engraved on a marble memoriam at the local parish and on a bronze leaf on the Tree of Life at the hospital; and through the American Association of University Women, scholarships have been established in her name at Mt. St Mary’s College.

“But, the greatest honor is Amanda’s floragraph on the Rose Parade float,” said Liz. “And, after seven years, Gregg will join us in decorating it.”