Donate Life’s new creation features a phoenix, the mythical symbol of life coming out of the ashes of death, rising from a bed of flames into the sky. The Donate Life phoenix represents those who give life in their passing and the people whose lives are renewed through transplantation. The bird soars high above 24 float riders – all transplant recipients, living donors, and family members of deceased donors – seated along a Wall of Names inspired by the National Donor Memorial at the headquarters of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) in Richmond, Va., the organization chosen by the government to operate the national organ donation and transplantation network.

The phoenix’s tail feathers are adorned with dozens of floragraphs – portraits created with floral materials – that depict loved ones who gave life to those in need. In addition, donors across the country will be memorialized in a garden of roses dedicated through the Donate Life Family Circle program, with each rose vial carrying a personal message of love, hope and remembrance.

The Donate Life float adds a meaningful dimension to the 2010 Rose Parade theme, 2010: A Cut Above the Rest. “Just as the Tournament of Roses® strives each year to host a Rose Parade that is better than the last, our expanding Donate Life community is challenged to present float entries that are increasingly inspiring,” said Bryan Stewart, chairman of the Donate Life float committee and vice president of communications at OneLegacy, the nonprofit organ and tissue recovery organization serving the greater Los Angeles area. “We believe this new creation will accomplish that mission.”

“Each year in the U.S., about 28,000 lives are saved through the gift of organ donation, while hundreds of thousands of people receive donated corneas and tissue to prevent or cure blindness, heal burns, save limbs and restore mobility,” said David Fleming, president and CEO of Donate Life America. “We hope the beauty and boldness of New Life Rises inspires parade spectators and viewers to rise up and join the more than 82 million Americans who have registered as organ, eye and tissue donors, helping us reach our national goal of 100 million designated donors.”

The 2010 Donate Life float, built by Phoenix Decorating Co. from a design by Dave Pittman, features two key elements inspired by the National Donor Memorial: the Wall of Names running the length of the float and the Wall of Tears encircling the dedicated roses at each end. The UNOS memorial, which honors America’s organ, eye and tissue donors with a 10,000-square-foot memorial garden and a website of tributes to donors, serves as the national transplant community’s commemoration of America’s donors.

Coordinated by Donate Life America member OneLegacy, the national Donate Life float campaign is supported by approximately 60 official partners from coast to coast, including organ and tissue recovery organizations, tissue banks, state donor registries, transplant centers and affiliated organizations. Joining OneLegacy as top-level benefactors are Astellas Pharma US, Inc., a fourth-year sponsor of five float riders through the “Ride of a Lifetime” contest and supporter of 1,000 volunteer decorators; the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB); the Dignity Memorial® network, North America’s largest network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers and sponsor of four floragraphs; Donate Life America; and UNOS and the National Donor Memorial. All float partners encourage parade viewers to save lives by registering in their states to be organ, eye and tissue donors and donating blood in their communities.

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game® presented by Citi. The 121st Rose Parade will take place Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, at 8 a.m. (PST) featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands. Following the Rose Parade, the 96th Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi will kick off at 2:10 p.m. and feature an exciting match-up between two of the top teams in the country.