If it was not for Karen Kline's daughter, Kelly, she would not be going to California for the holidays. And while a 10-year-old tragedy means that Kelly will not be with there as well, she will still help remind millions of people that they can save lives.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
Karen Kline, left, mother of organ donor Kelly Kline, speaks to some friends while staffing a table for the Cato-Meridian Recreation Center during Saturday's Heart Expo at Auburn Memorial Hospital.
Karen Kline, left, mother of organ donor Kelly Kline, speaks to some friends while staffing a table for the Cato-Meridian Recreation Center during Saturday's Heart Expo at Auburn Memorial Hospital.
Kelly will be one of 34 organ donors whose photographs will be featured on a float during the New Year's Day Parade of Roses in Pasadena, Calif. The float is sponsored and built by Donate Life America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about organ and tissue donation.
Karen Kline, of Cato, and her family will also be at the parade to help decorate the float and attend some activities. She will be there with her husband, Dan; daughter, Theresa; son, Benjamin, and other family members and friends.
“It is such an honor for our family to be selected,” Karen said last week.
Kelly lost her life from heart failure in August 1999. She was 12 at the time. But after a decision by the Kline family, her liver and kidneys were donated to three individuals.
Since then, Karen has become involved in various organizations supporting organ donations. She speaks to schools, clubs, businesses or anyone else who will listen about the topic and why it important to be a donor.
A friend of hers through a group for mothers of donors suggested earlier this year that Karen apply to have her daughter's picture on the float. Karen submitted the paperwork, and Kelly was chosen not long after.
“Kelly was very happy in life, and she loved helping people out,” Karen said. “This is a way of honoring my daughter.”
Kelly has impacted her family in both life and death, Karen said. Ten years ago, Karen was not a big fan of public speaking. Now, the cause of organ donation has driven her to give presentations whenever she can.
She has traveled around the country with her family for various conferences and events, such as the U.S. Transplant Games, an athletic competition for organ recipients.
“This will be the farthest we've gone,” Karen said about the future trip to California.
The Kline's also have made many, many close friends because of Kelly, Karen said. She has been in touch with two of the three recipients of her daughter's organs. And whenever they attend donor events, it is like walking into a family reunion, she said.
“There is a connection there,” Karen said. “Other families of donors know what you have gone through. And recipients will just give you a big hug.”
The Donate Life float will feature each donor's photograph in a separate gold star, and 26 recipients, living donors and living relatives will ride through the parade on the float. On the front, there will also be golden stars made of more than 1,000 roses, each carrying a message of love or gratitude to a donor.
The concept for the float comes from the Hollywood walk of fame, where celebrities have their names embedded in stars, according to Donate Life. This is the sixth year that the organization has had a float in the Rose Parade.
Karen said it is exciting to think that so many people will be able to receive such an important message. Her family never talked about organ donation before the tragedy. Hopefully other families will see the Donate Life float and initiate the conversation, she said.
“We feel very positive about the decision our family made (to donate),” Karen said. “It's a special gift.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
Karen Kline, of Cato, and her family will also be at the parade to help decorate the float and attend some activities. She will be there with her husband, Dan; daughter, Theresa; son, Benjamin, and other family members and friends.
“It is such an honor for our family to be selected,” Karen said last week.
Kelly lost her life from heart failure in August 1999. She was 12 at the time. But after a decision by the Kline family, her liver and kidneys were donated to three individuals.
Since then, Karen has become involved in various organizations supporting organ donations. She speaks to schools, clubs, businesses or anyone else who will listen about the topic and why it important to be a donor.
A friend of hers through a group for mothers of donors suggested earlier this year that Karen apply to have her daughter's picture on the float. Karen submitted the paperwork, and Kelly was chosen not long after.
“Kelly was very happy in life, and she loved helping people out,” Karen said. “This is a way of honoring my daughter.”
Kelly has impacted her family in both life and death, Karen said. Ten years ago, Karen was not a big fan of public speaking. Now, the cause of organ donation has driven her to give presentations whenever she can.
She has traveled around the country with her family for various conferences and events, such as the U.S. Transplant Games, an athletic competition for organ recipients.
“This will be the farthest we've gone,” Karen said about the future trip to California.
The Kline's also have made many, many close friends because of Kelly, Karen said. She has been in touch with two of the three recipients of her daughter's organs. And whenever they attend donor events, it is like walking into a family reunion, she said.
“There is a connection there,” Karen said. “Other families of donors know what you have gone through. And recipients will just give you a big hug.”
The Donate Life float will feature each donor's photograph in a separate gold star, and 26 recipients, living donors and living relatives will ride through the parade on the float. On the front, there will also be golden stars made of more than 1,000 roses, each carrying a message of love or gratitude to a donor.
The concept for the float comes from the Hollywood walk of fame, where celebrities have their names embedded in stars, according to Donate Life. This is the sixth year that the organization has had a float in the Rose Parade.
Karen said it is exciting to think that so many people will be able to receive such an important message. Her family never talked about organ donation before the tragedy. Hopefully other families will see the Donate Life float and initiate the conversation, she said.
“We feel very positive about the decision our family made (to donate),” Karen said. “It's a special gift.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
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