A floragraph of Patrice Sanders sits on a table along with photos and candles.

Valley Children’s Nurse to be Honored at Rose Parade for Organ Donation Legacy

Published December 4, 2025

MADERA, Calif. – A nurse who spent 37 years bringing comfort and care to Valley Children’s patients will be celebrated at the 2026 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

Patrice Sanders will be one of seven individuals honored on the Donate Life Rose Parade Float, which will celebrate organ donor heroes during the parade on January 1, 2026. Each donor will be memorialized with a “floragraph,” a floral portrait made from organic materials, symbolizing the lives they healed through donation.

Patrice’s story is one of compassion and dedication. After suffering a stroke in 2024, she chose to give the ultimate gift and become an organ donor – a gift that saved lives, including that of a kidney recipient, according to Donor Network West. Her colleagues say that decision reflects the way she lived every day.

Cathryn Thomas, manager of the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) at Valley Children’s, worked alongside Patrice for years and called her “an extraordinary soul.”

“I can still hear her laugh, warm and full of life,” Thomas said. “Her smile was infectious, and her presence alone brought comfort and calm. In moments of chaos, Patrice had a special gift. She could bring focus, confidence, and peace to any situation.”

A floragraph of Patrice Sanders, which will be featured on the Donate Life float at the 2026 Rose Parade, was displayed at Valley Children’s Hospital this week.

Thomas described Patrice as the very definition of a patient advocate – someone who never hesitated to speak up for those in her care. She was also a trusted mentor.

“She was always the person people could turn to with a question, knowing that you would not be met with judgment,” Thomas said.

A photo of Patrice now sits in the center of the PACU and brings peace to staff, Thomas says, just as Patrice brought a sense of calm to patients, families and coworkers.

“She was not just a coworker; she was a vital part of our PACU family,” Thomas said.

This week, the floragraph honoring Patrice was displayed at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera alongside photos of her life.

“It brought tears and smiles, and reminded all of us just how special Patrice was,” Thomas said. “It truly meant so much to have this available for our teams, giving everyone a chance to remember, reflect and feel connected to her legacy.”

Patrice, whose compassion extended far beyond her nursing duties, was also known for guiding parents through organ donation decisions and creating handprint quilts to honor children who had passed.

On January 1, organ transplant recipients will also ride the Donate Life float, representing the power and impact of organ, eye and tissue donation – a legacy Patrice now shares.