Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO Rose Dedication on 2020 Donate Life Rose Parade Float

Thursday, December 26, 2019
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO Rose Dedication on 2020 Donate Life Rose Parade Float

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is pleased to partner with LifeLink of Florida to honor and remember those who have given the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. On January 1, 2020, the Donate Life Rose Parade® Float titled, Light in the Darkness, will include a dedication garden made up of roses with handwritten dedications by hospital CEOs across the country including Andy Guz, CEO of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Dedications celebrate transplant recipients and living donors, honor deceased donors, and thank individuals and groups who support and take part in the donation and transplantation community.

Andy Guz shared, “With this rose dedication, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center publicly recognizes our staff’s dedication and commitment to organ and tissue donation. We are honored to be part of this celebration of life watched by millions on New Year’s Day.”

Since its debut on New Year’s Day 2004, the Donate Life Rose Parade float has become the world’s most visible campaign to inspire people to become organ and tissue donors. In addition to the 40 million viewers who watch the Rose Parade on TV and along the parade route, hundreds of events are held in cities and towns around the country to complete the “floragraphs” (floral portraits) of donors that adorn the float. 

Dedicated roses placed by donor families, transplant recipients and candidates, hospitals, transplant centers and organ, tissue and eye recovery organizations nationwide create floral jewels that ornament the base of the float. Each dedicated rose is placed in a vial that carries a unique, personal message of love, hope and remembrance, and honors donors, recipients, and others who have been touched by organ and tissue donation.

For the thousands of Floridians listed for a life-saving transplant, organ donation offers hope for a longer life.  Light in the Darkness is a theme that speaks to the gift of hope that organ, eye and tissue donation provides to donors, families and recipients. Anyone can be a potential donor, regardless of age or medical history; a single donor can save eight lives through organ donation and improve the lives of nearly 75 people through tissue donation. Visit www.DonateLifeFlorida.org to register your donation decision. You may also register when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license or state identification card.