Woman To Be Honored In Rose Parade

Woman To Be Honored In Rose Parade

By Kendall Jones, NBC17, 1 day, 4 hours ago
Updated: Oct. 23 5:35 pm
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DURHAM, N.C. -

It's been almost one year since Delores Benton Evans's son, Ryan Evans, committed suicide.

"That very morning in church the sermon was prayer in the midst of a storm," Evans said.

At the time, Evans had been on dialysis treatment for kidney disease for 7 months.

When the family decided to donate Ryan's organs, Evans was left with more than just pictures of her son.

"It is very unusual for a parent to receive a kidney from a child who has passed," Evans said. "That's what happened to me."

Since then, Evans has become an advocate for organ donations by speaking in conferences and writing letters to congress.

Her unique organ donation story won her an award from drug maker Astellas Pharma.

Evans will be honored in the Rose parade in California on New Year's day by riding on a float dedicated to those who have been affected by transplants.

"The more I talk about Ryan to others, actually the more I heal," Evans said.

Evans plans to use her law degree to start a program offering free legal assistance to transplant recipients and donor families.

Last week, when she was feeling down Evans went to the donor center.

"Would you believe there were two letters there from two recipients (of Ryan's organs)," she said. "I cry. My heart is broken, but Ryan left a legacy."

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