The following story about Rose Parade float rider and tissue recipient Susan Cossabone has been published more than 600 times by newspapers and regional television networks’ websites throughout the country. Additionally, NBC40 in New Jersey produced this segment on her story. Great media visibility promoting the possibilities of tissue donation!
How a woman’s leg was saved by donated tissue
The gift of donated human tissue meant that Susan Cossabone was able to avoid leg amputation and return to her passion of horseback riding following a devastating accident.
Cossabone will join 27 other float riders from around the country Jan. 2 on the Donate Life float in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The float, now in its ninth year, is a tribute to the millions of people touched by organ, tissue and blood donation. (more…)
Each year, in addition to sponsoring a float rider, non-profit tissue bank AlloSource selects two employees, and an executive leader to attend the Rose Parade and experience the Donate Life Float first-hand. Employees compete for the positions with essays describing what participating would mean to them. The AlloSource participants chosen this year, Heather McDowell and Alan Okerman, and executive Olivia Thompson have since had time to reflect on their experiences at the Rose Parade. Their remarks and several personal photos are below.
“How do you express in words all the emotions you feel as you meet and talk with the incredible families that come to the Rose Parade to be a part of the remarkable Donate Life experience? As I reflect back on last week, two groups come to mind: the donor families and the recipients. The donor families are the most courageous, unselfish individuals you will ever meet, sad but truly at peace knowing they have saved and enhanced lives by their generosity. The recipients are the most thankful and grateful individuals, you cannot capture in words their level of appreciation and awe for what has been given to them. All the families I talked to expressed that they are appreciative of what we (AlloSource) do in this incredible circle of life.”
This month Donate Life America launched a bold new initiative, “20 Million in 2012.”
Jessica Melore’s story of hope helped to launch the campaign. Earlier this month was her 30th birthday, a milestone birthday she did not always think she was going to have. At only 16 years old Jessica received a sudden and lifesaving heart transplant. Watch Jessica’s story and join us in helping Donate Life achieve its goal of registering 20 million new donors in 2012 by sharing the video with your friends and loved ones.
Once again the Donate Life Float was a tremendous success and particularly moving addition to the Tournament of Roses Parade. Check out some excellent photography from the day, done by Scott Weersing.
The Donate Life Float, titled "...One More Day" to remember a loved one, celebrate life, keep hope alive, and make a difference to others.
Susan Cossabone joined the float as a rider to show the nation the possibilities of cellular bone transplantation. Susan was sponsored by tissue bank AlloSource.
The float won the Judges' Special Trophy for outstanding showmanship and dramatic impact.
Newsfeed