NewsLocal News

Actions

Rose Parade float honoring Kern County organ donor wins top award

“You know, I didn't get a chance to meet her but if she was standing here today I would say that she has blessed me and my family so much,” said Dr. Yokoyama about Tammy McKeown.
Rose Parade float honoring Kern County organ donor wins top award
2023 Rose Parade Donate Life Float
Posted

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Bands, horses, floats, and crowds. Some from Pasadena and some from Kern County.

Doctor Larry Yokoyama was the recipient of a kidney from Tammy McKeown, who was an organ donor from Bakersfield who wanted to donate to Bakersfield. In a Christmas day surgery back in 2020, Doctor Yokoyama’s life was saved.

Now in 2023, the annual celebration of the New Year is also celebrating Tammy with a florograph on the Donate Life Float in the Rose Parade in Pasadena.

“You know, I didn't get a chance to meet her but if she was standing here today I would say that she has blessed me and my family so much,” said Dr. Yokoyama about Tammy.

The float wasn’t just a symbol of honor for organ donation. It was an award-winning float as well gaining the top award of the Rose Parade: the Sweepstakes Award.

With the 39 florographs, 16 organ recipient riders, and four living donor walkers the float lived up to its theme of lifting each other up.


READ MORE:



,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Friday

07/18/2025

Clear

-° / 73°

0%

Saturday

07/19/2025

Clear

100° / 74°

0%

Sunday

07/20/2025

Clear

102° / 71°

0%

Monday

07/21/2025

Clear

97° / 68°

1%

Tuesday

07/22/2025

Clear

94° / 67°

1%

Wednesday

07/23/2025

Clear

93° / 66°

1%

Thursday

07/24/2025

Clear

93° / 65°

0%

Friday

07/25/2025

Clear

93° / 66°

1%