Three people from Rochester were featured on one of the more spectacular floats in the annual Rose Bowl Parade. The connections between Laurie LoMonaco, Mary Guyette and Gates Orlando were shared as part of the event.
HGTV commentators described the float. "We have the 'Never Ending Story' by Donate Life. This one features actually 60 beautiful butterflies. I mean beautiful. Look at that float. One for each life that can be transformed by a single donor."
It was a cold New Year’s morning by California standards for the annual Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, with near freezing temperatures. NBC’s Al Roker braved the chill. "This gorgeous Donate Life Float with its theme The Never Ending Story is literally just that. It's a reminder to everybody that hope, transformation and renewal - through donors - open up a life mobility, health and sight in a never ending circle."
NBC's Hoda Kotb offered more on the story behind the float. "Walking alongside the float 12 donors whose live intermingle with the recipients. On the float are 30 additional donor recipients celebrating a new life - the chapters ahead."
The First Donate Life Float was in the 2004 Rose Parade. ABC commentators mentioned that since then, there's been a 40-percent increase in organ donations. "One of the very meaningful floats here. Messages abound. Awareness about causes and just flat out beauty!”
