Coppell Teen's Organ Donation Celebrated At Rose Parade
COPPELL (CBSDFW.COM) - It's no easy task, describing a beloved child using just a few words.
"Well, it's so hard for a parent to describe a child, because every child is so beautiful." Todd Storch has a lot to say about his daughter. "She was the everything kid. I mean, she was friends with every group. She was athletic, she was tall, she was funny, she was smart. She knew how to light up a room."
He and wife Tara lost 13-year-old Taylor nearly three years ago after a skiing accident. They then faced the choice of donating Taylor's organs. "It was the easiest decision in the hardest moment of our lives."
One life lost meant new life for five others.
Including Jonathan Finger, a Colorado man who, after being on dialysis for seven years, received one of Taylor's kidneys.
"He is now a full, healthy man who is living life in a way he didn't before," says Tara Storch.
Jonathan will ride on the Donate Life float in the annual New Year's Day Tournament of Roses Parade.
It's a float featuring Taylor in another way too. "It captures her eyes, it captures her spirit, her personality. An organic photo - called a Floragraph - of the teen will be part of the float. It's her parents' favorite picture of her. "It's a really sweet picture of Taylor that she loved. That she was in her room taking with her friends. She actually took those pictures, she took those pictures," says Tara.
Taylor's face will be one of 72 organ, eye and tissue donors seen on the special float. The Storch's hope those watching the celebrations will be motivated to share the kind of gifts Taylor gave. "Moving forward, we want people to register to be an organ donor, 'cause that's what changes and saves the lives."
If you would like to learn how to be an organ donor, visit donatelife.net
