On May 24, 2003, 24-year-old Jill Connett died as the result of an auto accident. She had just started her career as an English-as-a-second-language teacher. Having signed up on the Colorado Donor Registry, Jill had the donor heart on her license, ensuring that her donation wish would be honored. Because of the extent of her injuries, only her liver could be transplanted.

Jill’s liver went to a woman named Carol, who had been on the transplant list for five years. In 2005, to honor Jill, her mother Melody formed a team, “Jill’s Fighting Snappers,” to run in the Donor Dash 5K in Denver. Two years later, Carol and Melody met at the Donor Dash. They will be attending the 2009 Rose Parade together, where Melody will be a rider on the Donate Life float.