Fort Myers woman to be honored in Rose Bowl Parade

FORT MYERS, Fla.- A big honor for a local family who lost their daughter in a fatal car crash seven years ago. Danielle Bogue will be recognized in the Rose Bowl Parade for helping spread the gift of life to others.

“When she presented, it was obvious she had severe head injuries,” said Doctor Nelayda Fonte.

The trauma team at Lee Memorial Hospital did everything they could to help Bogue survive but she would eventually succumb to the injuries suffered in a car crash on April 13, 2007.

Bogue’s family knew right away she wanted to give the gift of life.

“From the get-go they where very interested in organ donation and were the ones who broached the subject initially when they pretty much knew this was not gonna be a favorable outcome,” said Fonte.

On Monday, Bogue’s family got the chance to put the final touches on a floragraph that will ride with 71 others on the Donate Life float in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

Through Bogue’s donation, she was able to give the gift of life to five people, the gift of sight to two people, and help several others through organ tissue.

“It’s a truly amazing feeling to know that she lives on through others, and our tears of sorrow turned other families’ tears into joy,” said Bogue’s mother Dana Grey.

Grey encourages everyone to become an organ donor and donate life if they can.

“Don’t let the people you leave behind be lost in sadness, let them find comfort in knowing that you helped so many others,” said Grey.

Bogue’s family will be in the grandstands at the Rose Bowl Parade on New Year’s Day to see the float in person. Currently more than 120,000 Americans are waiting for live saving organs.