He gave his time and his heart to everyone that he met and was just so incredibly proud of him and what he's been able to do, even in passing.

Over the weekend, a Rochester mom walked alongside a float honoring her son in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California.

Samuel Lee Becker was honored by the Donate Life float in Sunday's parade. His mom, Jennifer Becker worked on the float and walked alongside it. Through organ and tissue donations, Sam helped over 100 people after he died 6 years ago.

Our son Samuel, passed away in 2016 and he had written a paper in middle school about organ donation, and we knew that this was important to him.

When we got that call, he had made the decision for us. So we said yes to organ donation and Sam has since contributed to 109 lives through organ, bone, tissue, and cornea donation. It's incredible that his legacy will live on.

Jennifer Becker
Sam's right there in the middle. (Jennifer Becker)
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He gave his time and his heart to everyone that he met and was just so incredibly proud of him and what he's been able to do, even in passing.

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How Jennifer Becker Work On the Float

The float honored several donors, and members of those families, and Jennifer were able to work for two days on the float, adding roses (which she said smelled amazing).

Jennifer Becker
Jennifer Becker
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Jennifer Becker
Jennifer Becker
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attachment-Rosebowl Parade 2022 - Jennifer Becker 05
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Jennifer Becker
Jennifer Becker
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Are The Donor Pictures Really Made of Rice?

Yes!

Jennifer says they have to use all organic materials on the floats, "So it's anything from ground coffee, cinnamon, oatmeal, all kinds of things. To see it up you just have a completely different appreciation for what goes into those floats.

Close up of Sam's floragraph. (Jennifer Becker)
Close up of Sam's floragraph. (Jennifer Becker)
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They sent the floragraph of Sam to the Becker's home so they could work on it. "They brought it to our home and we had our family here and my son and daughter were able to put the finishing touches in with the eyebrows."

Now that the parade is over, that floragraph will be on its way to The Becker's home for them to keep forever.

Hear Jennifer Becker's conversation on Y-105FM's Early Morning Show with James and Jessica...just click play!

Please Sign Up To Be An Organ Donor!

I think Jennifer said it best when she said,

"I don't know how people could not choose to check, check that box. You know, there are personal reasons, but after just what we experienced...it's a gift. It's a gift of life that, that you can give others. And there's nothing...nothing better than that, truly."

I agree 100% (Full Disclosure: I'm an organ recipient) and if you'd like to sign up, or just learn more, click here to visit the donor registry.

If you can't, or don't wish to be an organ donor, but would love to support the cause by volunteering or making a financial donation, right here in Rochester is the Gift of Life Transplant House.

One last video...a view from a parade watcher!

As always, if you have a comment, complaint, or concern about something I wrote here, please let me know: james.rabe@townsquaremedia.com

YEMS WITH JAMES AND JESSICA FOR PODCAST
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Listen On-Demand with the Y105FM app, and on the following podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

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