2025 Float Walkers
Meet the inspiring living donors.
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Blake Lalli, the manager of the Reno Aces, Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and a former Major League Baseball catcher, has a journey marked by athletic achievement and profound personal sacrifice. In March of 2024, during Spring Training, he made a selfless act that forever changed his girlfriend, Aleah Hartung's life. Driven by Aleah's urgent need for a kidney transplant due to declining kidney function, Blake's unwavering commitment to her health allowed Aleah to regain her quality of life. This act of love and sacrifice not only raised awareness about the importance of organ donation but also empowered many to consider becoming donors. His advocacy and dedication, both on and off the field, continue to inspire, as he leads the Aces with the same passion he brings to his personal life. Their story of love and sacrifice resonates within the community, highlighting Blake's role as both a leader in baseball and a champion for those facing health challenges. -
Cindy loves adventure, so it's no surprise she was on a sailboat in Mexico with her husband, Dave when he suffered a medical emergency and desperately needed a liver transplant. Cindy was relieved when she learned she was a match, and she could be his living donor. But by the time her husband was stable enough for a transplant, Dave required a larger liver. Fortunately, he received the incredible gift of a liver from a deceased donor. Days after the transplant, he felt great, better than he had in years. Cindy was no longer obligated to donate, but she knew how many people die waiting for transplants and how hard it is to have a loved one waiting. She decided to go forward with her liver donation to hopefully save the life of the next person in need. Cindy and Dave are both thriving. Six months after her donation, they were back sailing in Mexico, healthy, grateful, and enjoying life! -
Dominique Overturf has been a lifelong giver. Her first donation was in elementary school when she donated 10 inches of her hair to Locks of Love. Once she was in high school, she started participating in her school's blood drives and donated so often that she received a special red cord to wear at graduation. During the pandemic, she donated platelets every other week to help others, and she also really enjoyed the snacks provided afterward, finding joy in the small things. In January of 2023, Dominique made the selfless decision of becoming an altruistic donor. She donated one of her kidneys to an anonymous donor, starting a four-person kidney chain. She was back to her regular life after five weeks of rest. She has returned to her regular life of bar trivia with friends, baking, making fun of bad movies with her bestie, reading a book out of her library, or being silly with her fiancée, Spencer. -
Josh Harrold has a remarkable story of selflessness and dedication to the well-being of others. Married to his wonderful wife Erica for 12 years, Josh is a devoted father to two energetic daughters, Amelia and Zaila. In September 2017, Josh made the life-changing decision to donate a kidney to a good friend suffering from polycystic kidney disease at Stanford Hospital. However, his journey as a living donor continued. Driven by an unwavering commitment to helping others, Josh reached out to Children's Hospital Los Angeles to donate part of his liver. He was matched with a baby girl in desperate need due to biliary atresia and donated a portion of his liver, giving her a new lease on life in December of 2022. Josh Harrold's incredible journey as a double organ donor has earned him the honor of walking alongside the OneLegacy Foundation's float in the Rose Parade, a tribute to those who inspire and advance donation and transplantation. -
Luis Mayen has worked for the Northern California and Northern Nevada OPO, Donor Network West, for over 22 years. As Vice President of External Affairs & Strategic Partnerships, he has played a vital part in helping make thousands of transplants possible. In January 2024, Luis made the courageous decision to become a living organ donor, and after months of tests and evaluations, his selfless act was made possible. Luis donated one of his kidneys to a woman living over 2,500 miles away in New York. His donation was altruistic, which he views "purely as a Gift of Life" to a dialysis patient in dire need of a second chance. Luis hopes his recipient is doing well and hopes to learn more about her one day, as their stories are now inextricably connected through his incredible decision and gift. His journey to becoming a living kidney donor reminds us that there is a hero within us all. -
When Patricia Gardner found out that her children's stepmother, Kathy, needed a kidney, she felt God's call to see if she was a match. She knew this was an opportunity to bless Kathy with a healthier and longer life. Kathy was on several donor lists, but finding a match was difficult. Patricia was notified that she was a match for Kathy and was accepted as a donor, but with the appearance of a closer match, ended up as a part of a six-person kidney chain. Patricia had to lose weight prior to the surgery date. Food addiction had always been a struggle for Patricia, but with God's help she was able to lose 15 pounds prior to the donation surgery and has lost an additional 40 pounds post-donation through healthy living. When people say she is a "hero," Patricia lets them know she is just a servant of her Savior, Jesus Christ. Organ donation is just one way to do that! -
Tara saw on social media that a father of four, Chris, was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. Chris was a longtime friend whom she had known for more than 10 years. She remembers crying when she read the story and thinking if it were her husband, she would be doing everything in her power to find a donor. Tara signed up to see if she was a match but needed to wait until her nine-month-old son turned one. The transplant center advised taking that time to ensure she was positive about donating. She called on her son's first birthday and said, "Let's go!" Tara and Chris were a 100% match, and the surgery succeeded. Now, Chris lives the full life he deserves. As a OneLegacy ambassador, Tara decorates Rose Parade floats, accepts city proclamations recognizing Donate Life Month, speaks at local hospitals, had breakfast with her mayor, and serves as the Pink Dot donor mascot. -
Veronica Salas remembers her father, Jose, as a man of few words. He came from humble beginnings and worked as a field worker for many years before he and his wife went on to open different businesses. Their dedication and hard work showed Veronica their sacrifice was really a display of love. Jose instilled values of love, hard work, honesty, selflessness, and God-fearing in his children. Despite a 10-year battle with vasculitis affecting his kidneys, Jose never complained. In 2006, Jose's family learned that he had little time left unless he received a kidney transplant. Without hesitation, his children volunteered, and Veronica stepped forward to donate a kidney. Veronica remembers the legacy her father left for her and her family. She walks in honor of her father and mother's dedication during their transplant journey and gives God the glory for the opportunity to give the gift of life. She is thankful to Donate Life California and advocates for organ donation.