Kidney donor chosen to take part in Tournament of Roses Parade . . . Philly rapper Freeway talks transplant

I don’t make a habit of watching the annual Tournament of Roses Parade from Pasadena, Calif. But I plan on watching the 131st annual event on New Year’s Day.

Why?

To honour Regina Tanner and all of the other generous folks who have donated kidneys. (Hello, Susan Duncan and Cheryl Vosburgh and Louis (Big Rig) McIvor and so many others.)

Regina, who is from Fresno, Calif., will be in the Parade, walking with the Donate Life Rose Parade float. Regina gave up a kidney in 2016 so that her husband, Cary, could get one via transplant. The two of them ended up part of a paired kidney donation chain that featured 18 people.

There is more on Regina’s story right here.

That piece also includes some interesting facts and statistics regarding organ donation and transplantation.

IN THE NEWS! 📰📣 Against All Odds: Penticton resident looks back at receiving three kidneys in 32 years. Folstad received his first kidney at the Vancouver General Hospital in 1986 after being diagnosed with kidney disease at age 19. https://t.co/ZdW4cuFqJ9

— Kidney Foundation BCY (@KidneyBCY) October 11, 2019

IN THE NEWS! 📰📣 Penticton man donates kidney after reading article on Castanet. Medicine Hat resident John Boksteyn received a kidney transplant from a Penticton man after being on dialysis for three and a half years.https://t.co/umOHFF50vc

— Kidney Foundation BCY (@KidneyBCY) October 8, 2019

IN THE NEWS! 📰📣 She saved her sister with a kidney donation. 40 years on, they're still celebrating. Sisters Lorna Telherio and Donna Watters were born 14 years apart, but when it came to being a match for a kidney donation, they are just like twins.https://t.co/IAczv0f320

— Kidney Foundation BCY (@KidneyBCY) October 16, 2019

The special bond between living donor and transplant recipient is one of a kind. Our BC Transplant shirts say it all! Head to our website at https://t.co/50FT6gw8uO to find the perfect fit for you. pic.twitter.com/CcZtYXi7dZ

— BC Transplant (@BC_Transplant) October 7, 2019

Two of our happy liver transplant recipients Jamie and Steve, representing the BC Transplant booth at Broadmead Community Day in Victoria. pic.twitter.com/F0Zd9PI7Ix

— BC Transplant (@BC_Transplant) October 8, 2019

When Jennifer’s mother passed away on Christmas Eve a few years ago, her family didn't think twice about honouring their mother’s decision to donate her organs; they knew this decision would have made her very proud. She is part of #50YearsofTransplant. https://t.co/zWsXLe1g4d pic.twitter.com/74ifOdGgWf

— BC Transplant (@BC_Transplant) October 9, 2019

Four years ago, Philadelphia rapper, @Phillyfreezer was in need of a life-saving transplant. #FlashbackFriday

"Me being a celebrity and a star, I felt like I was invincible, and I never thought that anything like this would happen to me. But it did." https://t.co/EsWHbxTEgt

— CORE (@COREDonateLife) October 11, 2019

ICYMI: You're never too old to be an organ donor. #DonateLife #BeAHero #BeAnOrganDonor https://t.co/gDeGt6DP5z

— CORE (@COREDonateLife) October 12, 2019