Rose Parade Honoree

Midwest Transplant Network selects a donor hero each year to honor on a national stage in the Donate Life Rose Parade® float. The float features floragraphs — portraits made entirely of organic materials such as nuts, seeds, coffee grounds, etc. — of people impacted by organ, eye and tissue donation.

Our 2023 honoree is Zach Mendoza, an organ donor from Wichita, Kansas. Zach’s parents remember him as being sweet, kind, tender and loyal.

“He had that gift of a personality that people loved and gravitated toward,” Zach’s father, Joe Rodriguez, said.

Since Zach passed away, Joe and his wife, Lisa Mendoza-Rodriguez, have found immense comfort knowing that Zach’s legacy lives on through his recipients.

“Zach would have been happy that others have life because of him,” said Joe.

Mark your calendars for the morning of Jan. 2, 2023, to watch the Rose Parade® and see floragraphs of Zach and other selfless donor heroes from around the country.