‘A big loss for us and his friends’
Phillips to be honored during Rose Parade

By Ashley Bergner

Newton Kansan

NEWTON - On New Year’s Day, thousands of cheering parade-goers will watch the Donate Life Rose Parade float pass down the streets of Pasadena, Calif., in the Rose Parade.

Bright, colorful flowers and kites dancing in the wind will decorate the float, and on one of those dancing kites will be a portrait of Scott Phillips.

Phillips, originally from Newton, passed away in 2001 as the result of a tragic accident. Although his family still feels the grief from his loss, they find hope in sharing how his donation of organs gave the gift of life to others.

“His life saved eight other people,” said his mother, Sally Phillips, who lives in Newton and works as critical care nurse at Wesley Medical Center. “That is a miracle in itself.”

Life through loss

Scott was the oldest of Sally’s four children. He was outgoing and passionate about life, serving as a role model by giving motivational speeches across the county to middle and high school students. His motto was “Carpe Diem,” and he wasn’t the kind of person who lived with regrets.

“He was definitely full of life,” said his sister, Sara Rose.

While in Arizona in late 2001, 29-year-old Scott tried to help a friend who was being attacked and suffered a serious head injury from which he never recovered.

“It was a big loss for us and his friends,” Sally said.

As Scott was on life support, Sally had to make a choice every family hopes they never face: To let go of her son and donate his organs.

Although Sally grieved for her son, she knew that by donating his organs, she could give hope to others.

Scott’s organs were matched with eight other people, saving their lives.

It was what Scott would have wanted.

“That has always been the only thing that gave us any comfort,” she said.

Honoring Scott’s memory

At this year’s Rose Parade, the Midwest Transplant Network has decided to sponsor Scott as its honoree on the Donate Life organization float.

Donate Life is a non-profit advocate for organ donation, and each year Midwest Transplant Network picks an honoree from its service area.

The Phillips family helped decorate the portrait, or “floragraph,” of Scott that will be featured on the float. The portrait is created from organic materials, such as petals and seeds.

The family also will get to travel to Pasadena, help decorate the float and watch the parade. Sally’s three children, son-in-law and grandson will accompany her.

“It’s quite an honor,” Sally said. “...We’ve been so excited and working towards it. It’s kind of surreal.”

Giving the gift of life

Being involved in organ donation advocacy has given Sally and her family a way to honor Scott’s memory and bring others life, even through their pain.

“Even as a nurse, I marvel all the time that (organ donation) can happen,” Sally said. “It means so much to (the) family. It just gives you peace in your grieving.”

On a daily basis, there are about 90,000 people across the United States waiting for organ donations, Sally said. Sadly, about 6,000 die each day while still on the waiting list.

Sally urges people not to wait about making a decision to be organ donors.

“It’s very important to talk about that with your family before things happen suddenly,” she said.

Sally and her family will continue working to raise awareness about organ donation, and tell Scott’s story.

“Being involved with organ donation has been our life, in his honor,” she said.

For more about Scott’s story and the Donate Life float, visit http://www.donatelifefloat.org.