Rose Parade float honors Lowell native

LOWELL, Mich. (WOOD) - Some of Andrew Benedict's family spent New Year's Day with Andrew's parents in Pasadena, Calif., at the Tournament of Roses parade.

But some of the organ donor's other family members -- his aunts, uncles, cousins and others -- were at home in Lowell, watching the parade on TV to see the float with Benedict's photo.

"It's really special," Andrew's aunt Mary said.

Benedict was killed in a snowmobile accident two year ago, and had his organs donated. His photo was one of to appear on the Donate Life float.

"You know, we lost someone very special to us," Mary Benedict said. "But the awareness for the organ donations and having that float in the parade just keeps getting that information out there."

24 Hour News 8 told the Benedict family's story earlier this week, which prompted Jodi Banks to e-mail the station about just how meaningful organ donations can be.

"I can't even put it into words," Banks said. "I couldn't have asked for anything more."

Her mother, Carol Smith, a long-time nurse at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, had almost run out of hope that at age 63, she would ever get a life-saving kidney. But three days before Christmas, the gift she and her family had hoped for arrived.

"Tuesday, she got the call at 2 a.m., said, 'be at the hospital within two hours,' " Banks said.

The kidney was from a 12-year-old boy who had died. Smith is now recovering at home. Her daughter says the gift will multiply.

"She will be one of these people who will pay it forward," Banks said. "She will definitely give."

Two families; one recognizing that sometimes, out of loss comes hope. The other thankful for the gift of life. And both hoping to deliver the same message.

"Put a sticker on your driver's license and become a donor, because medical miracles never cease," Banks said. "It could be you. It could be you."

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For more information on organ donations, visit the state of Michigan's Web site, the Mayo Clinic's Web site or National Organ Donor Web site.