OneLegacy Promotes Organ Donation at 2026 Rose Parade

Organ donation takes center stage at the upcoming Rose Parade, thanks to OneLegacy, a federal organ procurement organization serving Orange County and much of Southern California. The agency has sponsored its Donate Life float since 2004, with hopes that this year’s display will encourage life-saving organ donations.

Sarah Fahey, the creative services and digital marketing coordinator for OneLegacy, describes the float as a “bridge to life.” This year’s float will highlight the stories of organ donation through a vibrant display made from organic materials, seeds, and flowers. It will feature 20 transplant recipients, alongside floragraphs—floral portraits—of deceased donors and four living donors who have made significant contributions.

OneLegacy collaborates with eight transplant centers and 220 hospitals to match organ donors with recipients. Fahey emphasizes that the float serves as a critical public outreach tool, showcasing the power of organ donation.

Personal Stories Drive the Message of Hope

The emotional impact of organ donation resonates deeply with individuals like Shey Rodriguez, a 34-year-old from Ontario, California. Rodriguez’s journey into organ donation began during the holiday season when she was inspired by an episode of the television series “Grey’s Anatomy,” in which the main character donates part of her liver. Intrigued, Rodriguez researched living donations and soon joined an inquiry list at Keck Hospital of USC.

Despite not knowing anyone in need of a liver donation, Rodriguez felt compelled to help. “You know what, it will grow back,” she recalled thinking about her liver. After a comprehensive six-month pre-donation process, she donated part of her liver in 2023. Today, she is one of the four living donors walking alongside the OneLegacy float, aiming to raise awareness and inspire others.

Rodriguez received a thank-you card from her recipient, who is now recovering well. “I just hope they get to experience life the way that I do,” she expressed.

Addressing the Organ Donation Crisis

Despite the inspiring stories of donors like Rodriguez, the reality remains that there is a critical shortage of organs available for transplant. According to OneLegacy, over 100,000 people are currently waiting for transplants in the United States, with approximately 90,000 of them needing kidneys. Only about 50,000 kidney transplants occur each year, highlighting the gap between need and availability.

OneLegacy aims to bridge this divide through education and outreach. Fahey noted the importance of understanding that living donors can make impactful contributions. “You can donate a lobe of your liver, and it will regenerate, saving another person’s life,” she explained.

The struggles faced by individuals awaiting organ transplants are illustrated by the experiences of Shawn Kortes, a Huntington Beach resident who has been on the kidney transplant waitlist for a decade. Living with a genetic kidney disease, he spends eight hours every night on a peritoneal dialysis machine. The uncertainty of his future weighs heavily on him, especially as he considers the impact on his young daughter.

“I don’t know when, or how much longer, I have,” Kortes said. His blood type, O-negative, complicates his search for a donor, as it is less common. His transplant center, UC Irvine, has a voucher program, allowing living donors to assist specific recipients, potentially accelerating their placement on the transplant list.

Kortes emphasizes the importance of awareness regarding organ donation. He encourages individuals to consider the possibility of becoming donors, stating, “You can either be a donor or not, but the option is there.”

The message from OneLegacy is clear: during this season of giving, the opportunity to save lives through organ donation exists. “You can give the gift of life by registering to be a donor,” said Tania Llavaneras, a media relations specialist for OneLegacy. This gift carries no monetary cost but holds the potential to profoundly impact the lives of many.