SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- This year's Rose Parade will not happen due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but there will be a televised special, showcasing parade's from year's past, as well as special segments.
One of those segments will feature a Rancho Bernardo 2-year-old who is being honored for her organ donation. A year and a half ago, Leia Parker lost her life after a swimming accident, and with help from the company Lifesharing, Leia's parents had her organs donated to families in need.
"As a grieving parent, you just want to find meaning, and I believe everything happens for a reason," says mother Tihani. I am extremely proud that my daughter has changed the lives of five people, and she has given a second chance and new hope to others."
Tihani was hopeful her daughter would one day grow up to be a strong independent women. And that is why she named her Leia, after the Star War character Princess Leia.
"Princess Leia was my favorite Star Wars character, and she was one of my bigger role models. So I wanted my daughter to have a name that represented all those things that meant a lot to me"
And now Leia is being honored by the Rose Parade as part of a floral portrait on a sculpture title, "Community of Life."
"Honestly, when Lifesharing had called to ask us I was very humbled. I was just so honored that out of the many donors that they chose her."
