At their first meeting of 2023, members of the board of directors of The Blood & Tissue Center Foundation heard how the organization contributed to a once-in-a-lifetime event for a South Texas family.
-Anja Contreras, Asante’s Mother
Earlier this year, the Foundation helped the family of tissue donor Asante Contreras attend events surrounding the decoration and launch of the Donate Life America float in the Tournament of Roses Parade.
Contreras, whose posthumous donations have helped at least 95 patients, was one of 39 tissue donors featured on the float in what are known as floragraphs – portraits made entirely from organic materials.
The float marked the 20th anniversary of Donate Life America’s participation in the parade through the streets of Pasadena, California.
“It is the world’s most visible campaign to inspire organ, eye and tissue donations.”
Kimberly Monroe, South Texas Blood & Tissue.
This year’s float won the parade’s highest honor, the Sweepstakes Trophy.
It also gave the South Texas family a chance to bond with other tissue donor families at several events before the parade on New Year’s Day.
“On behalf of the family, thank you very much,” Monroe said.
To learn more about Donate Life and register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, visit DonateLifeTexas.org.
