Following Jerrell Fletcher’s death from a car accident in 1998, his mother Carolyn Fletcher decided to donate several of his organs to save the lives of five people.
“He was awesome in life and even more beautiful in death,” she told NBC Connecticut.
“What I’d like to encourage everybody is to have that conversation with your family about organ donation and sign up a head of time, you don’t want to be in the situation I was in forced to make the decision about organ donation at the time of the tragedy.”
Tuesday afternoon in front of Yale-New Haven Hospital staff and members of the Notre Dame High School in West Haven community, Carolyn put the finishing touches on a floragraph image of her son that will be featured on a very special float the 2017 Tournament of Roses Parade.
“This is just the icing on the cake for him,” Fletcher said.
Jerrell’s high school football coach presented his mom with an old jersey for her to bring to Pasadena, California.
“I remember his smile the best, you know, he was just one of the guys who was happy to play, he played three sports,” Coach Tom Marcucci said.
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Typically, Marcucci watches the slate of Bowl Games around the New Year.
“I think the Rose Bowl parade is the priority this year,” he said.
In front of a national audience, Jerrell’s life will be honored while raising awareness for organ donation.
“If I could have just one person be touched by my story and sign up to be an organ donor,” Fletcher said, “it’s all worth it.”
You can look for the tribute to Jerrell on the Donate Life float at the Rose Bowl Parade on Jan. 2.
