ICYMI: WellStar Hospitals To Represent in Rose Parade

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — If you watch the annual Rose Parade on January 2, there's a chance you'll see a float sponsored, in part, by a local hospital.

WellStar Health System — which includes WellStar Douglas Hospital — partnered with LifeLink of Georgia and other organizations on a float designed to spread the word that organ, tissue and eye donation saves lives.

The float, titled "Teammates in Life," will include thousands of handwritten messages of "love, hope and remembrance" of organ donors from across the country, including several from WellStar leaders.
In 2016, there were 41 organ donors at WellStar hospitals who were responsible for 132 organ transplants and thousands of tissue donations.

LifeLink is a nonprofit organization that coordinates the recovery of organs and tissue for transplants.
"The life-saving value of registering to be an organ, tissue and eye donor cannot be overstated. There is significant need for organ and tissue donation in this state," said Tina Kroeppler, hospital liaison for LifeLink of Georgia.

"Currently more than 4,900 Georgians are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. We are so grateful to the people who choose to give the gift of life, and we hope the parade float helps us reach more people with this important message."

The 2017 Donate Life parade float depicts a Polynesian catamaran, which will be rowed by a team of 24 organ, eye, and tissue transplant recipients.

The sails of the boat will feature 60 floral portraits of donors interwoven with Polynesian designs and patterns.

Twelve living donors will walk alongside the float carrying flowers in celebration of the life they have given to others and the quality of life they continue to enjoy themselves.

The ocean waves will showcase 1,000 white Akito roses, dedicated in memory of specific donors.

For more information about becoming an organ donor, visit www.donatelifegeorgia.org.

Image courtesy WellStar Health System