On the first day of the year, Americans enjoy watching two events to celebrate the new year: The Rose Bowl Game and Rose Parade. Two spectacular events produced by the Tournament of Roses. Among the many floats in the parade is Donate Life’s float built by award-winning Fiesta Parade Floats. Donate Life has been a central participant in the Rose Parade since 2004. The Donate Life float is the world’s most visible campaign to inspire organ, eye, and tissue donation. The float is produced by the One Legacy Foundation and made possible by sponsors, transplant, health care, and family care organizations and individuals from around the United States.
Donate Life Rose Parade Float 2022 Promotional Image
Each year, organ donor(s) are honored during the Rose Parade. In 2021, Nevada Donor Network contacted the parents of Alex Bush about paying tribute to him on the 2022 Donate Life Rose Parade float. Alex Bush is a 12-year-old organ donor whose contribution healed over 300 lives. Cecelia Heston of Action News 5 in her coverage provided this quote from Alex’s father, Aaron Bush, “From Canada to Chile, he’s impacted the lives of 366 people that have never met him and will never meet him, but know him through his gift.
Obviously, any parent would say if they could have their child back and whole, they would much rather have that. But sometimes that’s just not the chance we’re given. We’re very happy, we’re very proud of how our son has been able to help so many people.”
Alex’s young life came to a tragic end in
2020. He was walking home from school with his younger sister when both were struck by a vehicle. Alex was fatally injured. His sister sustained serious injuries but survived.
By all accounts, Alex was a conscientious pre-teen who cared about others. His father thinks Alex would be proud to know what his gifts have done for hundreds of people all over the world.
Heston reported, “Alex Bush donated his kidneys, heart and multiple other organs, and more than 300 grafts were created from his bones and tissue. His mother, Jennifer Bush, said she and her husband are both organ donors, so they knew what to decide.’
Alex represented all organ donors in Southern Nevada during the Rose Parade before the Rose Bowl.
Anyone can register to become an organ donor at RegisterMe.org. Living donors and organ recipients can contact the National Foundation for Transplants when they need help raising funds for out-of-pocket transplant-related expenses. We’re here to help transplant patients through their most difficult times get to their most wonderful times. If desired, you can support their transplant journey with a financial gift.