[COC Cougar News] – Late Santa Clarita Valley resident, Cory Tarrant, will be honored as an organ donor on the The Rose Bowl OneLegacy float.

OneLegacy who is one of many partners to build the float, is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives through organ and tissue donation in the greater Los Angeles area.

Tarrant, a Santa Clarita native, passed away at the young age of 17, after a fatal motorcycle accident three years ago at a local track.

Now, Tarrant is being recognized with 60 other deceased organ donors.

His photo, will be turned into a floragraph which is a portrait created with floral or other natural materials that will appear on the float.

Getting his driver license at the age of 16, Cory decided to become an organ donor.

“Well, if you’re old enough to drive, you’re old enough to make that decision, and that’s when he made that decision,” said mother Kathy Tarrant.

Tarrant’s choice made Cory’s family eligible to apply for the float.

This is the first year Kathy submitted an application to OneLegacy which includes
a written bio, pictures and all contributions made to OneLegacy.

The network informs participants of upcoming events and the deadlines for being considered to be on the float.

“One of the reasons why I felt the need to do it and felt it was going to occur because this is OneLegacy’s 13th year in participation, and that number is very spiritual for us and very meaningful for us,” said Kathy.

The number 13 was one of Cory’s motocross numbers and continues to show up in the Tarrant family’s life.

Tissue Banks International picked up Cory’s application.

TBI is a non-profit, non-governmental network of ocular centers and the largest provider of both fresh and sterile ocular tissue in the world.

“I bawled like a baby, said Kathy, when she found out Cory was picked to be on the float, “it’s a huge honor.”

OneLegacy creates the floragraph then sends it to the family to finish who then add details such as the nose and eyes.

“Cory gets to be honored on something so important and that’s important for all of us,” said Derek Tarrant, Cory’s older brother.

It’s never too late to be a donor.

Make sure you keep an eye out for the “Donate Life Rose Parade Float” on this year’s upcoming Rose bowl Parade.

Photo courtesy of the Tarrant family.