Title: Durham Woman Honored in 2010 Rose Parade

Date: January 21, 2010

Delores Benton Evans of Durham, N.C., received son Ryan's left kidney the day after he died. "It is amazing that in life, he could not donate a kidney to me, but after his death it was possible," she said. Delores kept a personal promise by becoming an avid volunteer to increase organ, tissue and bone donations and advocate for kidney patients on dialysis. Last July, Evans saw a flier at the hospital advertising an essay contest for people affected by organ transplant, and wrote her story. Her entry was one of five chosen nationally. The winners were treated to a six-day trip to Pasadena and a ride on the annual Donate Life float in the 2010 Rose Parade. "The reason we're in the parade is to inspire -- basically to inspire Americans to register as organ and tissue donors on their state registries," said Bryan Stewart, spokesman for OneLegacy, the California procurement agency that heads the Donate Life float effort. Evans did just that by riding aboard the float which featured a floragraph of her son, Ryan.