Rose Parade to Feature Iowa Organ Donor Floragraph
The 2027 parade will honor Amyrra Lumsden with a handcrafted floral portrait on the Donate Life float.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Philanthropy
The Iowa Donor Network will host an announcement in Des Moines regarding the inclusion of 16-year-old Amyrra Lumsden as a Floragraph honoree for the 2027 Rose Parade. Lumsden, a Fort Dodge student, will be memorialized on the Donate Life float in Pasadena on January 1, 2027.
Why it matters
This tribute recognizes Lumsden for her status as an organ donor, bringing attention to the life-saving impact of donation. The annual float serves as a national platform to honor those who have contributed to the gift of life.
Approximately 30 donor Floragraphs appear on the Donate Life Rose Parade float annually. The announcement event in Des Moines is scheduled for 2 p.m.
The players
Amyrra Lumsden
A 16-year-old student at Fort Dodge Senior High School who became an organ donor.
Iowa Donor Network
An organization that coordinates organ and tissue donation services across the state of Iowa.
Mike Fleming
An individual scheduled to ride on the Donate Life Rose Parade float.
The details
Floragraphs are intricate floral portraits created from natural materials including seeds, spices, flowers, and coffee grounds. Lumsden died on July 9, 2024, following injuries from a July 2, 2024, car crash.
Timeline
July 2, 2024: Amyrra Lumsden sustained injuries in a car crash.
July 9, 2024: Amyrra Lumsden passed away.
October 27, 2026: The Iowa Donor Network hosts an announcement at Mercy Medical Center.
January 1, 2027: The Rose Parade takes place in Pasadena.
Market Landscape
This tribute aligns with the ongoing tradition of the Donate Life Rose Parade float, which has annually featured Floragraphs to promote donor awareness. It continues the organization's strategy of utilizing high-profile public events to drive national engagement in organ donation programs.
Residents can attend the announcement event at Mercy Medical Center to learn more about the organ donation legacy. The tribute serves to educate the public on the importance of registering as an organ donor.
The takeaway
This recognition provides a national platform to highlight the importance of organ donation and its life-saving potential. Families and community members are encouraged to consider the impact of organ registration in their own life decisions.
Further reading
For more information on local outreach, visit the Des Moines Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Messengernews.
