When millions of people worldwide tune into the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day, The University of Kansas Health System will be a small part of an enormously important message.

The Donate Life Rose Parade Float, The Never Ending Story, will contain a “Dedication Garden” filling the float with thousands of roses, each placed in a vial carrying a special message about the importance of organ donation.

This year, as in the past, Bob Page, president and chief executive officer of The University of Kansas Health System, signed his vial and placed his message for the float.

In the video, Page says the health system has grown to be a national leader in transplants, both in volume and outcomes, only because of the generous organ donors throughout the Midwest.  He says the health system is grateful for their life saving gifts and hopes their donation provides motivation for others to be organ donors.

Also, Tammy Peterman, executive vice president, chief operating officer, chief nursing officer of the Health System and president of the Kansas City operation, talks about the valuable partnership between the Health System and the Midwest Transplant Network. She explains how that works and how many lives affected by transplants.