Remembering Katie Sedor - Organ Donor to be Honored on 2026 OneLegacy Rose Parade Float

On January 1, 2026, Katie Sedor will be honored on the OneLegacy Donate Life Rose Parade float, a tribute that celebrates the profound impact of organ donation and the lives saved through her truly selfless generosity. Her recognition on this national stage, as well as those of fellow organ donors throughout the country, reflects the legacy she left behind. Below is Katie’s story.

Protector of vulnerable people, bubbly personality, ridiculously funny, self-deprecating, humble, kind, cherished human, loyal friend, beacon of light, joyful, family-focused, and lover and guardian of animals. Katie had a natural flair for design that made her such a well-dressed woman. She had the uncanny ability to go into anyone's closet and create a stunning ensemble with accessories.

These terms were used by Katie's vast circle of friends and family to describe her at her service in August 2024. Her death at age 28 profoundly impacted all who knew her, and the overwhelming presence of loved ones in attendance was a powerful testament to how deeply she was loved.

Katie Sedor lived an extraordinary life filled with deep friendships, a loving long-term relationship with her boyfriend, Garrett, and the support of a close-knit family. Her time here was rich with meaning and profound experiences—it was a good life.

She graduated from Bonita High School in La Verne, California, and later from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where she excelled both academically and athletically during her high school and college years.

Beginning at age 14, Katie bravely battled chronic, severe inflammatory bowel disease and other autoimmune disorders. She died suddenly at age 28 from complications related to these illnesses. Her family remains hopeful that continued advancements in targeted immune treatments will one day eradicate autoimmune diseases.

As a teenager, Katie made the deliberate decision to become an organ donor, proudly designating her choice on her driver’s license. That unwavering decision gave her family strength and comfort as they honored her wishes after she was tragically declared brain-dead.

Katie’s heart now lives on in a young boy, one kidney in a young girl, and the other in a woman. Her lungs and pancreas were donated for research, offering hope to countless others.

Her legacy endures not only in the lives she saved, but in the memories of those who loved her and of those who will come to know her story. Her selfless choice to be an organ donor reflects the person she was in life and continues to bring her family great happiness.

As her family shared - God has a plan for all our lives and is sovereign over everything. God bless Katie in your kingdom.