Escambia Man Honored During Tournament Of Roses Parade

December 31, 2018

Bryan Herrington, an organ and tissue donor from Escambia County, was honored on the 2019 Donate Life Rose Parade float on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California. He is being featured among the float’s 44 floragraphs — a portrait made of organic materials such as seeds, spices and crushed flowers — that honor organ, tissue and eye donors from across the country.

“Bryan was all about being a servant and helping people,” said Terri Herrington, Bryan’s wife. “He would never have guessed that one decision could help so many people.”

Bryan was a husband and father of five, one son is currently a freshman at Tate High School.  He was the owner of a family roofing business. In July 2004, he slipped while repairing a damaged roof, resulting in a terrible fall. Bryan never regained consciousness from that injury. Many years prior, he had registered as an organ and tissue donor. Because of Bryan’s generous gifts, he has helped save and restore the lives of 16 people through organ and tissue donation.

“Bryan made a life-changing difference for many people with his gifts,” said Rony Thomas, president and CEO of LifeNet Health, which nominated Herrington to be on the float and is sponsoring his family’s attendance at the parade. “We are proud to honor his legacy and hope he inspires others to make the selfless decision to register.”

The Donate Life Rose Parade float serves as a memorial to organ and tissue donors and a platform for donor families, living donors and transplant recipients to inspire the world to save and heal those in need through the gift of life. Today, more than 115,000 men, women and children are waiting for life-saving organ transplant. One organ donor can help save the lives of eight people and restore the health of more than 150 through tissue donation.

Pictured: Family members of Bryan Herrington finished a floragraph in his honor during a local ceremony. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

6 Responses to “Escambia Man Honored During Tournament Of Roses Parade”

  1. Linda Oestreich on January 1st, 2019 11:37 am

    I have been blessed to be the recipient of two kidney transplants (one from a live donor and one from a deceased donor. I will forever be grateful to both donors and their families for giving me the precious gift of extra time on this earth to spend with my family and enjoy all that life has to offer. It takes a special person to register to be a donor and I pray that many more people will consider it. May God bless the Harrington family.

  2. Mary Jo Fuhr on December 31st, 2018 10:15 pm

    I was the lucky recipient of Bryan’s lungs!!! I am trying my best to take good care of them for his wonderful family! I live in Nebraska and had my transplant in St. Louis! We have been able to meet several of Bryan’s family members and most of our family were with me, once in Pensacola and also in Omaha!!! We are so blessed to have made these connections! Also Facebook and messenger have kept us in touch now for 14 1/2 years!!! More than a story, definitely part of our family!!! I was so happy for Bryan’s family, that he was chosen to be part of the donor float! Love to them, Mary Jo

  3. Shannon on December 31st, 2018 2:38 pm

    Bryan was an amazing friend, husband, brother and father. He will always be remembered by those who knew him.

    My memories of him will be cherished forever.

  4. BJ Odom on December 31st, 2018 1:16 pm

    BJ and Judy Odom are so very honored to have known this fine young man His father CID would be very proud. May the New Year bring many more blessings to this family.

  5. Colleen Bruner on December 31st, 2018 12:43 pm

    This is amazing ❤️

  6. Terri Herrington on December 31st, 2018 7:18 am

    Thank you for spreading the awareness for organ donation, it takes only a couple of minutes to register to be an organ donor. This is a great story. Bryan is featured on the front of the float.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News