The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), in partnership with Donate Life California, recently honored DMV team members Shannon Walling (Sacramento), Veronica Salas (Sacramento), and Patricia Gardner (Oxnard) for their extraordinary contributions through organ donation.
These individuals will be honored during the 2025 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on Jan. 1.
Giving the Gift of Life
Shannon Walling will honor her late husband, Jay Walling, who donated his corneas after passing in 2023. “Jay was a loving husband, stepfather, and a generous man,” Walling shared. “He would be proud to know his gift restored the sight of a veteran who now volunteers to help others.” Jay’s memory was commemorated with a floral portrait, or floragraph, unveiled during a special ceremony at DMV headquarters. His floragraph will appear on the Donate Life float, titled “Let Your Life Soar.”
Veronica Salas shared her story of donating a kidney to her father, Ontiveros “José” Salas. “My father instilled in me the importance of selflessness,” she said. “Donating my kidney was a way to honor him and encourage others to consider becoming donors.”
Patricia Gardner recounted how her kidney donation sparked a six-person organ exchange, benefiting her children’s stepmother and multiple others. “Organ donation gave three families—including my own—the gift of more time with their loved ones,” Gardner reflected. “You never know how many lives your choice can touch.”
Salas and Gardner will walk alongside the Donate Life float during the parade, representing living donors.
“Let Your Life Soar” Float
This year’s Donate Life float draws inspiration from Japan’s Children’s Day, showcasing vibrant koi-shaped flags (Koi Nobori) symbolizing strength, courage, and health. Floragraphs of donors will adorn the float, honoring those who have given the gift of life, sight, and health.
DMV and Donate Life
Since partnering with Donate Life California in 2006, the DMV has helped register over 19 million organ, eye, and tissue donors—95 percent of whom signed up while visiting a DMV office. Despite this progress, the need remains great. Every day, 150 people are added to the national organ transplant waiting list.
Learn how organ donors save lives by visiting Donate Life California’s FAQ. To register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor, visit donatelifecalifornia.org.
