On August 5, 1984, 2-1/2-year-old Matthew Bemis drowned in a lake at a family gathering. His parents decided to turn their tragedy into a blessing by donating Matthew’s organs. His liver went to 15-month old Lily Allen from Tucson, AZ. She was on life support, her liver full of tumors.

The two families met one year later and have stayed in contact over the years. On August 8, 2008, the Bemises attended Lily’s wedding – scheduled 24 years to the day that Lily received their son’s liver. Lily, a rider on this year’s Donate Life float, said of Matthew and his family, "Not only had I been given a second chance at life – a liver to make me a Liver – I cannot ever thank them enough for their precious gift and their eternal selflessness."