Inspired by the Rose Parade® Theme and Grand Marshall, Magic Johnson, These Sports-Loving Honorees have Given or Received the Gift of Life

The OneLegacy Donate Life Rose Parade float will honor forty-five honorees this year, but a dozen of them share stories of sacrifice, leadership, and dedication directly tied to the 2026 Rose Parade® theme, “The Magic in Teamwork.” Inspired by the Rose Parade’s® Master of Ceremonies Earvin "Magic" Johnson, a symbol of excellence both on and off the court, the float celebrates the power of working together to achieve great outcomes.

The floral portraits adorning the float, also called Floragraphs, honor ten donors who loved sports, competition, and community in their lives, who also gave the ultimate gift in their passing. These donors are comprised of young athletes, coaches, mentors, and lifelong devoted sports fans. Their stories echo the teamwork, discipline, and heart that define both the worlds of sports and the donation community.

Sports-Connected Honorees Whose Legacies Inspire Teamwork and Hope

These honorees represent only a portion of the 45 individuals celebrated this year, but their sports stories reflect the universal themes of teamwork, perseverance, and unity that define the 2026 float:

• Aidan “AJ” Skinner, a twelve-year-old from Reading, Massachusetts, loved basketball, skiing, and swimming, especially lacrosse. Inspired by his father, a living donor, he saved five lives and restored sight through donation. New England Donor Network sponsors him on the float this year.
• Andrew Bedard devoted himself to soccer with determination and joy despite not winning a single game in his youth soccer league. He cheered on the San Jose Earthquakes, and since 2008 the Earthquakes have honored his memory each year with the Andrew Bedard Spirit of the Game Award. Donor Network West sponsors Andrew on the float this year.
• Erik Rushford stood out on the soccer field and shared his skills as a youth coach. Generous and humble in life, Erik’s legacy continues. He was able to save and heal more than a hundred people through organ, eye, and tissue donation. LifeNet Health sponsors him on the 2026 OneLegacy Donate Life Float.
• James Reeve grew up boating and, as an adult, found his true calling in boat racing. He considered boating more than a hobby. It was his passion. He died at a boating event but was able to save and heal countless lives through his donation. OneLegacy sponsors James on the float this year.
• Jordan Brister excelled at organized sports, including baseball, football, soccer, and track. His family shared his story and gifts by working with the organization “Vegas for Athletes” to spread awareness of sudden cardiac arrest in youth sports. Palm Mortuaries & Cemeteries sponsors Jordan on the float.
• Micah Moyer spent most of his seventeen birthdays in Angel Stadium, cheering on his favorite baseball team, and playing competitive travel baseball throughout Southern California. Micah saved five lives through organ donation and is sponsored by OneLegacy.
• Miranda Araya loved her skateboard. If she wasn’t attending concerts and music festivals, she found community at Los Angeles skateparks. She saved multiple lives in her passing, including a 14-year-old who received her heart and a mother who received her kidney. OneLegacy sponsors Miranda.
• Natalie McCleary played volleyball, basketball, and softball in her close-knit community of Fruitland, Iowa. She excelled not only at sports but also at theater, music, and academics. When she passed, she continued to shine, saving six lives through organ donation. Iowa Donor Network sponsors Natalie on the float this year.
• Scott McGreevy carried a deep appreciation for his hometown of San Francisco, including their teams, the 49ers and the Giants. Professionally, he worked as a personal trainer, and recreationally, you could often find him at the ballpark with his face painted orange and black. Donor Network West sponsors him on the float.
• Chad Stacy, a former Marine, loved the outdoors, including fishing and wiffle ball. After his passing, his gifts of tissue and corneas healed the lives of over 100 people. His community honors him with an annual Chad Stacy Wiffle Ball Tournament in Kansas. Midwest Transplant Network sponsors Chad on the float.

These ten donor athletes saved nearly 30 lives by providing lifesaving organs for those on the waiting list and healed over 500 more through eye and tissue donation.

Two organ and tissue recipients will ride on the 2026 OneLegacy Donate Life Rose Parade float. These grateful recipients close out the team of sports-loving honorees.

• Braxton McKenner, an accomplished athlete, experienced severe shoulder injuries that derailed his quality of life. On his path back to athletic excellence, a crucial surgery, made possible by tissue donation, provided the allografts needed to reconstruct his shoulder. Thanks to this incredible gift, now, at 17, Braxton has restored hope and strives to honor his donors by championing the critical importance of tissue donation. JR Ortho sponsors Braxton on the float.
• Christian Gomez, sponsored by Donor Network West, celebrated his 18^th birthday at the San Francisco Giants game against the San Diego Padres as the Play Ball Kid. He devoted this special day to the selfless donor, who in May of 2025, gave Christian his second liver transplant—and a third chance at life. His journey stands as a profound reminder that organ donation gives families hope, healing, and the chance to dream again.

"The OneLegacy Donate Life Float allows us to honor organ, eye and tissue donors in a profound way, and reminds us that the miracle of donation is never the act of one person alone," said Prasad Garimella, CEO at OneLegacy. "Donation is a relay, a team effort involving donors, families, medical professionals, and communities uplifting one another. All these honorees show what is possible when passion, generosity, and teamwork come together."

The OneLegacy Donate Life Rose Parade float is produced by OneLegacy, designed by Charles Meier, built by Artistic Entertainment Services (AES) and made possible thanks to more than twenty sponsors.

As the world’s most visible campaign to inspire organ, eye and tissue donation, the OneLegacy Donate Life Rose Parade® float inspires viewers to help the over 1 million people in need of organ, eye or tissue transplants each year. Register today to become an organ, eye or tissue donor by visiting registerme.org.

About OneLegacy

OneLegacy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Kern counties. Working in close collaboration with hospitals and transplant centers, OneLegacy ensures the recovery of vital organs and tissues. Make a difference: become an organ, eye, and tissue donor by registering at OneLegacy.org/register or by checking “YES” at your local DMV. If you're not already a donor, we encourage you to consider registering today. For more information, visit OneLegacy.org.

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses^® and Rose Parade^® presented by Honda

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® is a volunteer organization that hosts America’s New Year Celebration^® with the Rose Parade^® presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game® presented by Prudential and a variety of accompanying events. The Association’s 935 Members supply more than 80,000 volunteer hours, which will drive the success of the 137^th Rose Parade, themed “The Magic in Teamwork,” on Thursday, January 1, 2026, followed by the College Football Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential. Visit www.tournamentofroses.com, follow us on Instagram, YouTube and X, and like us on Facebook.

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As the world’s most visible campaign to inspire organ, eye and tissue donation, the OneLegacy Donate Life Rose Parade® float inspires viewers to help the over 1 million people in need of organ, eye or tissue transplants each year.