The 2024 OneLegacy Donate Life Rose Parade Float, “Woven Together: The Dance of Life,” won the Judges Award for most outstanding float design and dramatic impact. The float featured the floral portraits of deceased organ donors from across the nation—including a young Lifesharing organ donor named Gavin Raceles.
Gavin was only seven years old when he suffered a medical episode that resulted in brain death. Knowing their son’s life could not be saved, Gavin’s parents made the courageous decision to donate his organs through Lifesharing. In 2019, Gavin saved three lives when Lifesharing found matching recipients for his heart, liver, and kidneys.
A couple of days before the 2024 Rose Parade, Gavin’s floral portrait was placed on the float during a heartfelt ceremony in Irwindale, California. Volunteer Dan Sandoval paused to pay tribute to Gavin, thanking him for giving the precious gift of life.
Lifesharing arranged for Gavin’s parents, Tawni and Chris Raceles, to attend the Rose Parade in person and witness their son’s portrait glide down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena on New Year’s Day. “To see him up there with all these other heroes, we just feel so honored,” said Tawni.