2025 Rider Honorees
Meet the float riders touched through donation and transplantation.
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Aleah Hartung, an Aesthetics Physician Assistant based in Reno, Nevada, and a two-time kidney transplant recipient, has shown incredible strength in the face of significant health challenges. Diagnosed with underdeveloped kidneys at the age of 18, Aleah received her first life-saving kidney transplant in 2008, donated by her mother, Sandy. After years of stable health, her condition began to decline in 2023, needing another kidney to survive. In a truly selfless act, her boyfriend, Reno Aces Manager Blake Lalli, stepped forward to test as her donor and was found to be a perfect match. On March 5th, 2024, Blake's act of love, a testament to the selflessness of donors, saved Aleah's life and deepened their bond. Now thriving post-surgery, Aleah is a passionate advocate for organ donation, highlighting the life-saving impact of donors and those in need. Her story is a testament to resilience, love, and the profound importance of organ donation in saving lives. -
Born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), Angel Dominguez received a heart transplant at UCLA Medical Center when she was just eight months old. Her family celebrates this "heart day" every year like a second birthday, and on April 12, 2025, they will mark 33 years since that life-changing day. Thanks to her transplant, Angel grew up, graduated from the University of Iowa and the University of Southern California, and pursued a career as a social worker. She loves spending time with family, traveling, and volunteering with the Iowa Donor Network. Every experience and achievement in her life is possible because of the selfless decision of an organ donor, a decision that has the power to transform lives and create a ripple effect of hope and inspiration. Angel's story is a powerful reminder of the lifesaving potential of organ donation, and a living testament to the impact that organ donation has on transplant recipients. -
At 18 months old, Celina Medina was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome, a kidney disorder. When Celina was 23, she became pregnant and followed a strict regimen of medications to monitor her health and her baby's development. After giving birth to her daughter, Celina learned that she would need to start dialysis. Her siblings tested to become living donors, and her brother, Marco Antonio, was a match. Marco successfully donated his kidney, and Celina's new kidney began functioning almost immediately. Thanks to her brother's gift of life, Celina lived without dialysis and gave birth to a second daughter, Ariel. Eight years later, Celina's kidney started failing and she was back on dialysis. She was placed on the transplant waiting list, and after more than 11 years on dialysis, she received "The Call." A deceased donor's kidney had become available. Thanks to her donors, Celina was able to see her daughters graduate from university. Today, she volunteers her time as a OneLegacy Ambassador. -
Harley Duffer is a 3-time heart and one-time kidney transplant recipient. Growing up, he was an active child who participated in many sports. At the age of 12, Harley was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. He received his first heart transplant that same year, on Christmas day. A few years later, after meeting his wife Justine, Harley was diagnosed with heart failure and listed for a second heart transplant. He also discovered that he was going to be a father. In 2021, Harley received a second heart transplant, but his heart was not recovering as well as it should have been. He was placed on the waiting list for a third time and received this third heart and first kidney in 2022. Harley was fortunate to meet his donor's family, and he and his wife named their second daughter Peyton, to honor his donor's memory. Harley's new life purpose is to inspire donor awareness. -
When Jaylee was born, she was diagnosed with biliary atresia and her parents learned that she would need a liver transplant to save her life. While Jaylee waited, Elaine Jones was in the process of being approved to become a living donor for the second time, a few years after donating a kidney to her uncle. Elaine was approved and she became an altruistic living liver donor to an infant she didn't know. This infant turned out to be Jaylee! Jaylee was just shy of 10 months when she received her liver transplant, and thanks to Elaine's gift, she has grown up to be a healthy and thriving teenager. Jaylee's story has inspired family members and friends to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. She hopes that she can continue inspiring her classmates, friends and family to say "YES" to organ, eye and tissue donation and save lives, the same way her life was saved. -
Jermell Robinson is a husband, father, son, and believer. He lived with Stage 4 sarcoidosis of the lungs for 14 years with only 46% lung capacity. Although his condition worsened and required him to be on and off oxygen, Jermell tried to provide for his family and be an active father, such as coaching his 3-year-old son's sports teams. Jermell was admitted to the hospital for 53 days after being diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia. As a result of this grave condition, he was placed on ECMO life support for 30 days. After complications that took him off and on the transplant waiting list, he was able to receive a double lung transplant on August 20, 2023, at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center. While he was hospitalized, his wife was six months pregnant, and with his two new lungs, Jermell and his wife were able to welcome their baby girl into the world. -
At six weeks old, Jessica's parents noticed that her eyes were cloudy. The doctors diagnosed her with Congenital Glaucoma, which limited her sight. At age 21, Jessica's left eye was removed after losing vision, followed by a prothesis implant. Despite the doctor's predictions of complete blindness, she kept the vision in her right eye well into her twenties. She attended college and became a Respiratory Therapist in a busy trauma center. A few days before her 31st birthday, Jessica learned she was a candidate for a cornea transplant. She was moved to tears knowing she could regain her vision and could finally see again. This gift of sight changed her life completely. Jessica was soon able to return to work, all thanks to her donor family and their precious gift of sight. She could also later see her two beautiful daughters, who are the light of her life. As of today, Jessica has received two additional cornea transplants. -
Juan Ramon Hernandez was born in Mexico and arrived in California at the age of five, where he has lived his life enjoying family and friends. At age 39, he was diagnosed with stage five kidney disease and learned he had to start dialysis as soon as possible. Juan spent six months on dialysis before receiving the news about his blessing of a new kidney. He still vividly remembers being at the store when he picked up the call and heard someone say, "We have a new kidney for you." He couldn't believe the great news. On January 12, 2023, he received the kidney transplant he had been waiting for. Juan is grateful for his donor as well as every doctor, nurse, and staff member that was there to help him along the way. He feels God has taught him to never give up on his faith and that prayers can be answered. -
Michael Rizzo has dedicated his life to serving others as a paramedic and police officer. Two decades ago, his commitment to public service was challenged when an arm fracture threatened to end his career. Thanks to the generosity of a tissue donor, Michael's arm was successfully reconstructed, allowing him to continue saving and protecting lives. Years later, Michael was diagnosed with a serious heart condition. A successful heart transplant gave Michael a second chance at life. "I am forever grateful to my organ and tissue donor heroes," said Michael. "I am proud to honor their memories as a rider on OneLegacy's Donate Life Rose Parade float. I thank NJ Sharing Network and MTF Biologics for co-sponsoring me." Michael lives in New Jersey with his longtime partner. His story is a testament to the impact of organ and tissue donation, and he vows to continue raising awareness through his voice. -
At just 12 years old, Roza's life changed when she was diagnosed with severe Pulmonary Hypertension. One year later, a lung biopsy aimed at understanding her worsening condition led to heart and lung failure, leaving her reliant on an ECMO machine to survive. With time running out and the risks of prolonged ECMO use increasing, Roza's only hope was a rare heart-lung transplant. Her family feared they might lose her, but then, against all odds, a donor match was found. The transplant saved her life, but her journey wasn't over. Roza fought through unexpected complications and months of difficult recovery. Today, Roza is a thriving college student, growing stronger and actively serving others in her community. She knows none of this would have been possible without her donor's incredible gift. Roza's heart is filled with gratitude as she embraces her second chance at life, honoring her donor with every breath.