Phoebe Putney Health System participating in Rose Parade float for organ donation

ALBANY — Phoebe Putney Health System is partnering with LifeLink of Georgia to honor and remember those who gave the gift of life by organ and tissue donation through the annual Rose Parade taking place in Pasadena, Calif.

Donate Life will have a float at the Jan. 1 parade titled “The Gift of Time.” It will have a dedication garden made up of roses with handwritten dedications by hospital CEOs across the country, including Phoebe President and CEO Joel Wernick.

These dedications celebrate transplant recipients and living donors, honor deceased donors and thank individuals and groups who support and take part in the donation and transplantation community.

“With this rose dedication, Phoebe publicly recognizes our staff’s dedication and commitment to organ and tissue donation,” Wernick said. “We are excited to be part of this celebration of life watched by millions on New Year’s Day.”

Since its debut in 2004, Donate Life’s Rose Parade float has become a visible campaign meant to inspire people to become organ and tissue donors. In addition to the millions of viewers who watch the Rose Parade on TV and along the parade route, hundreds of events are held in cities and towns around the country to complete the “floragraphs,” or floral portraits, of donors that adorn the float.

Dedicated roses placed by donor families, transplant recipients and candidates, hospitals, transplant centers and organ, tissue and eye recovery organizations nationwide create floral jewels on the base of the float. Each dedicated rose is placed in a vial that carries messages of love, hope and remembrance, and honors donors, recipients and others who have been touched by organ and tissue donation.

The Gift of Time float depicts a tropical backdrop that dates back to the ancient civilizations of Mexico. It celebrates the gift of life as 16 costumed riders — consisting primarily of those impacted by organ or tissue donation — will sit alongside the jungle, against stone carvings.

The monumental Aztec calendar draws the eye to the center of the float, where 44 donors are honored with floragraphs. Alongside the float, eight living donors and recipients will carry baskets of fruit and flowers in celebration of the renewed life they have shared with one another and the world.

For the thousands of Georgians listed for a lifesaving transplant, organ donation offers hope for a longer life. Anyone can be a potential donor, regardless of age or medical history. A single donor can save or improve the lives of nearly 75 people.

Visit www.donatelifegeorgia.org to register a donation decision. Individuals may also register when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license or state identification card. LifeLink of Georgia is the non-profit, community service organization which coordinates organ and tissue recovers in Georgia.

To learn more, visit www.lifelinkfoundation.org or call (800) 544-6667.

Jennifer Parks