Pasadena Rose Parade Float to Honor Local Organ, Eye and Tissue Donors on New Year’s Day

Nineteen Southern Californians whose lives have been touched by organ, eye and tissue donation will be honored on the 2026 OneLegacy Donate Life Rose Parade® float, which will travel down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena on New Year’s Day, according to a press release from OneLegacy.

The float, themed “Treasure Every Moment Together,” is being decorated at Rosemont Pavilion in Pasadena by Artistic Entertainment Services staff and volunteers. Honorees include transplant recipients, living donors and deceased donors whose gifts saved or healed lives.

“OneLegacy is honored to celebrate and share the uplifting stories of Southern California donors, recipients, and families, who have been touched by the power of organ, eye and tissue donation, at the iconic Rose Parade on New Year’s Day,” said Prasad Garimella, CEO of OneLegacy. “We look forward to showing our finished float and inspire those who watch the Rose Parade to say ‘YES’ to donation when they see our float sailing down the streets of Pasadena.”

Honorees
Skylar Saunders, who was raised in Pasadena and died after a severe asthma attack and saved several lives including a family friend by donating her organs and will be a Floragraph honoree sponsored by OneLegacy.

Transplant Recipients

• Byron Thompson, Los Angeles, heart transplant recipient. Sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Elsa Garcia-Chau, Artesia, retired schoolteacher and heart transplant recipient. Sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Isabel Sabori, heart and double lung transplant recipient. Sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Jamie Alcroft, Los Angeles, comedian and heart/liver transplant recipient. Sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Samer Flaih, Goleta, kidney recipient. Sponsored by Sanofi.
• Brenda Johnson, Los Angeles, liver and kidney recipient. Sponsored by Sanofi.

Living Donors

• Sheila Rodriguez, Ontario, liver donor. Sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Sparkal Day, Los Angeles, kidney donor. Sponsored by OneLegacy.

Deceased Donors

• Carlos Woods, Maywood. Honored by Donate Life California.
• Elmer Valenzuela, Lawndale. Honored by Sanofi.
• Lloyd Nilson, Rubidoux. Honored by Nu Acoustics.
• Daniel Matthew Rios, Victorville. Floragraph honoree sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Jaime de los Santos, Van Nuys. Floragraph honoree sponsored by OneLegacy.
• James Reeve, Kingsburg. Floragraph honoree sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Jayden Saenz, Santa Clarita. Floragraph honoree sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Jeffrey Ng, Yucaipa. Floragraph honoree sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Jenny Fedele Fennel, Riverside. Floragraph honoree sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Katie Sedor, La Verne. Floragraph honoree sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Kevin Morales Avena, Fontana. Floragraph honoree sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Mark Daniel Flores, musician. Floragraph honoree sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Micah Moyer, Apple Valley. Floragraph honoree sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Miranda Araya, Northridge. Floragraph honoree sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Raejonette Morgan, Inglewood. Floragraph honoree sponsored by OneLegacy.

The Donate Life float marks its 23rd year in the Rose Parade, which organizers describe as the world’s most visible campaign promoting organ, eye and tissue donation. The 2026 float is supported by more than 20 sponsors, including OneLegacy, Sanofi, Nu Acoustics and Donate Life California.

More information about the float is available at onelegacyfloat.org.