Minneapolis police officer to honor daughter in Rose Bowl Parade

By Rena Sarigianopoulos | KARE 11 NBC

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Officer Catherine Casey would be considered a hero by some simply because of her job description, but in Catherine's eyes, it's her daughter Deanna that deserves the title.

"Deanna was a vibrant young girl who loved being with people, she loved her family," said Catherine.

Deanna was killed by a drunk driver four years ago. The 16-year-old was not able to donate her organs, but was able to donate her tissue. Thanks to that gift, 67 people have benefited.

"Her gift has changed their lives and made their family's lives better, and so in my tragedy, their lives have improved," said Catherine.

Tissue donation consists of bones, skin, cornea and heart valve. All of which, unlike organs, can be donated after death. It was something Catherine didn't know about until Deanna's death. Now, it's something she wants others to know about too.

"I want other people to sit around the dining room table, to sit around the couch, and talk about organ and tissue donation," she said.

Catherine will be able to share her message with an enormous audience come New Year's Day. She'll be riding with 30 other people, from all across the country, on the Donate Life float in the Rose Bowl Parade. The mission is to inspire others to become donors too.

"It's helping improve the lives of many," said Richard Haliburton with American Donor Services.

The Minnesota-based non-profit focuses solely on tissue donation and helping people understand the need. Tissue, he says, can be used in many ways to help improve quality of life for those suffering from severe burns to heart valve transplants.

"Some would estimate that there's nearly a million applications of tissue transplants that occur in the United States alone," said Haliburton.

Catherine Casey says it's an honor to be in the parade and share Deanna's story. Her daughter may be gone, but thanks to donation, it's not just her memory that lives on.

"On the days you sit at home and you're sad and you miss your little girl, you think about how she gave of herself, even in her death, and it makes you feel good. It makes you proud of her," Catherine said.