Colo. organ donor to be honored in Rose Bowl Parade

Tammy Vigil | KWGN Denver

BERTHOUD, Colo. -- It’s that time of year when we think about giving and receiving gifts. But through the unexpected death of their son one Berthoud family offered the ultimate gift.

And on New Year’s Day, their son will be honored for his decision to become a tissue and organ donor.

Jared Lamirato, 20, lived life to the fullest--until last December--when Jared died from a head injury in a car accident on County Road 23.

"Jared had love for life," said his mother, Mary Lamirato. She says he loved football, bull riding and wakeboarding. "With his spirit, he would want that.

He would want someone to go on," she said about her son's decision to donate his organs and tissue. It’s a decision he made when he was only 16.

"The heart, liver, the two kidneys, pancreas," she lists off the organs that gave life to others. All total, his organs and tissue helped 40 people.

"I can't tell you how lucky I am," said Justin Greene, who received Jared’s heart. He describes their first meeting. "She was like, 'Is there any way I could hear it?' she wanted to hear it beating," said Greene about Jared’s mother.

"I got to come down, put my ear to his chest and listened to that heart beat. it was an amazing feeling," said Lamirato. It will be the Lamiratos first Christmas without their son. They weren't sure how they were going to handle it.

Then, they got the call--Jared’s memory will stand front and center in the Rose Bowl Parade on New Year’s Day. His portrait one of 60 organ and tissue donors featured on the donate life float called "seize the day."

"Knowing we are going to honor Jared at the end of the year is amazing. It really is," she said. The float will raise donor awareness and show how complete strangers can turn into family.

"It was Jared’s gift to me. So I feel it's part me and their family is part of mine now," said Greene. "I think we really would have struggled through this year. I really do. The donation kept his spirit alive," she said. "Part of Jared lives in Justin."

Crist Mortuary is paying to send the Lamirato family to Pasadena, California for a few days to watch and participate in Rose Bowl Parade festivities.

Coloradans can register to become organ and tissue donors at donatelifecolorado.org; at the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles or by calling 1-888-256-4386.