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Eight Organ and Tissue Donor Family Members Show the Ties That Bind by Walking Alongside the 2008 Rose Parade® LOS ANGELES, Calif., Oct. 1, 2007 – Donate Life will bring an emotional new element to its fifth Rose Parade float entry, Life Takes Flight, in the 2008 Rose Parade. Not only will 24 people who received transplants ride the float, but eight family members of those who donated organs, eyes, and tissue will walk alongside the float as a visual reminder of the pride donor families feel about their loved ones’ gifts of life. The eight family members include Missy Tipton of Waleska, Ga., the 17-year-old sister of Ransom Tipton, who was only 16 when he died in a car crash three months after his family’s home was destroyed in a fire. The Tipton-Smith family was featured on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” last March, and the episode’s focus on Ransom’s donation of life-saving organs resulted in a nationwide surge of donor designations, with tens of thousands of people signing up with state organ and tissue donor registries. Missy will be joined in the five-mile walk by Josie Flores, Miami, Fla.; Jeannie McGuire, Portland, Ore.; Terry Murray, Silver Spring, Md.; Mike Moore, Baton Rouge, La.; Eva Perez, Los Angeles; Arthur Stone, Greeley, Colo.; and Laurie Wolowic, Studio City, Calif. All eight family members will hold tether lines connecting each to a “floragraph” – an artistic portrait created with floral materials – of their loved one adorning a hot air balloon. The 2008 Donate Life Rose Parade float features a balloon festival, with four colorful hot air balloons rising 30 feet high above 24 riders whose lives have been saved and renewed by organ, eye, tissue and blood donors. “We are grateful that the Tournament of Roses encouraged us to present not only riders whose lives have taken flight because they received life-saving transplants, but also walkers celebrating the memory of their loved ones, whose gifts of life make such a difference for people, families and communities,” said Bryan Stewart, chairman of the float organizing committee and director of communications for OneLegacy, the non-profit, federally designated organ and tissue recovery agency serving the greater Los Angeles area. “Their stories are unique and inspiring, and we are privileged to connect family members with their loved ones in such a meaningful way.” Among the walkers is Mike Moore, who donated his daughter Katie’s organs upon her death at age 17. Ten months later, he would donate his wife Melanie’s organs and tissue. Together, six people are alive today because of the Moore family’s gifts of life. Jeannie McGuire and Eva Perez have never met, but they share the heartache of losing children at age five and six, respectively. Similarly, Laurie Wolowic and Missy Tipton share the loss of a beloved brother, while Josie Flores walks for her mother, Terry Murray for her husband, and Arthur Stone – walking the five miles on a prosthetic leg – for his son Nicholas. Hundreds of individuals, families and organizations touched by donation and transplantation will join the riders and walkers as float participants through the Family Circle Rose Dedication Program, which was founded by Laurie Wolowic, one of the eight float walkers. More than 1,000 roses will carry personal messages of love, remembrance and gratitude from around the world, adding an international dimension reflecting the parade’s theme, Passport to the World’s Celebrations. Coordinated by Donate Life America member OneLegacy, the Donate Life float is supported by more than 50 official partners from across the nation, including organ and tissue recovery organizations, transplant centers, non-profit and for-profit contributors, and transplant recipient organizations. Joining OneLegacy as top-level benefactors are Astellas Pharma US, Inc., sponsor of five float riders and the volunteer decorating team for a third consecutive year; the Family Circle Rose Dedication Program; and the National Donor Memorial and UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing). All float partners encourage parade viewers to become registered organ, eye and tissue donors in their states and donate blood in their communities. The 119th Rose Parade will take place Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008 at 8 a.m. (PST) featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands from throughout the world. Following the Rose Parade, at 2 p.m. (PST), the 94th Rose Bowl Game will feature an exciting match-up between two championship teams, once again showcasing the best of collegiate football. For further information contact Rivian Bell, JDI Communications, (213) 612-4927 or Bryan Stewart, (213) 229-5650. |