Rose Parade float celebrates the gift of organ donation

Ventura County Star - Kris Sofley

As flower-covered floats move down Pasadena's Colorado Boulevard for the 123rd annual Rose Parade on Monday, the Donate Life organization hopes its float will remind millions of TV viewers about the need for organ donation.

For Jose Gutierrez, 33, of Fillmore, the topic of organ donation was never discussed within his family. But six years ago, after his father, also named Jose, suffered a critical brain hemorrhage, he and his siblings decided to donate their father's organs.

"My dad was in critical condition following surgery and doctors had given us a slight chance for his recovery," Gutierrez said. "Like many families, we never discussed organ donation. But we all came to that decision in our own way. My dad was very giving and always wanted to help other folks, so we knew he would have wanted to do this."



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- vcstar.com