Teenage organ donor to be honored with Rose Parade float
AUBURN -- A float at next month's Rose Parade will honor a local teen whose death more than a decade ago has given life to 52 others.
Brandon Harney was just 16-years-old when he was hit by a car while riding his bike in Auburn. Harney didn't survive the accident, and his mother decided to donate his tissue, organs and eyes.
Now Brandon is being honored with his own "floragram" on a float at the annual Rose Parade on January 2 in Pasadena. Made out of only natural materials, the floragram will feature Brandon's likeness.
The Donate Life float will feature 72 people who donated their organs to help others.
Brandon's mom, Shirley Harney Taylor, said even in death, her son has had a profound effect on countless people.
"It's not just those 52 people he saved and enhanced their lives. It's all of their family, their friends, all of the people they will touch with their lives," she said.
Dave Ebbeson drove over from Ephrata to help put the final touches on Brandon's floragram. It's the least he could do, he said, for the the young man who gave him a pancreas.
"He saved, saved my life," Ebbeson said. "And that's what he did. He saved my life. I got more longevity."
Brandon told his mom two weeks before he died that he didn't think he had accomplished anything in his life, but 11 years later, it's clear that he did.
Harney Taylor said she's traveling to Pasadena to see the parade.
Brandon Harney was just 16-years-old when he was hit by a car while riding his bike in Auburn. Harney didn't survive the accident, and his mother decided to donate his tissue, organs and eyes.
Now Brandon is being honored with his own "floragram" on a float at the annual Rose Parade on January 2 in Pasadena. Made out of only natural materials, the floragram will feature Brandon's likeness.
The Donate Life float will feature 72 people who donated their organs to help others.
Brandon's mom, Shirley Harney Taylor, said even in death, her son has had a profound effect on countless people.
"It's not just those 52 people he saved and enhanced their lives. It's all of their family, their friends, all of the people they will touch with their lives," she said.
Dave Ebbeson drove over from Ephrata to help put the final touches on Brandon's floragram. It's the least he could do, he said, for the the young man who gave him a pancreas.
"He saved, saved my life," Ebbeson said. "And that's what he did. He saved my life. I got more longevity."
Brandon told his mom two weeks before he died that he didn't think he had accomplished anything in his life, but 11 years later, it's clear that he did.
Harney Taylor said she's traveling to Pasadena to see the parade.
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