National Initiatives

The Rose Parade

Each New Year's Day, the world focuses its attention on Pasadena, California, USA, home of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. It's a celebration more than a century old – a festival of flowers, music and sports unequaled anywhere else in the world. It's America's New Year Celebration, a greeting to the world on the first day of the year, and a salute to the community spirit and love of pageantry that have thrived in Pasadena for more than 100 years.

The Donate Life Float

On January 1, 2020, the Donate Life Rose Parade Float made its 17th appearance in the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena. NJ Sharing Network and our generous partners, Bridge to Life, Dignity Memorial Funeral Homes and Team Liberty sponsored three donor families and two transplant recipients to attend the multi-day festivities.

Our 2020 Honorees: 

  

The 2020 Donate Life Rose Parade float, Light in the Darkness, shares the Power of Hope by highlighting Southeast Asia’s Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, a celebration of light shining through darkness. Organ, eye, and tissue donation is often the first spark of light families see when in their darkest moments, the opportunity to honor their loved ones’ legacy provides hope and light to both grieving donor families and grateful recipients.

2020 Parade Coverage

Check out the below news clip from ABC of the Donate Life Float traveling down Colorado Boulevard on New Year's Day.

2019 Rose Parade

From the grandstands, family members of donors Sean Clegg, Dr. Randall Giles and Carrie Ellen Fisher viewed the float adorned with floragraphs honoring their loved ones. Liver transplant recipient, Jim Rhatican and heart transplant recipient, Emma Rothman, both rode the float representing all New Jersey residents who have received a second chance at life through donation.

View a full list of the 2019 Florograph Honorees, Float Rider Honorees and Float Walker Honorees.

Check out photos from the 2019 Rose Parade.