RI boy honored in Rose Parade for organ donation that saved 3 lives

November 10, 2018 6:03 pm

By: Amanda Pitts

alpitts@abc6.com

@APittsABC6

CHEPACHET, R.I. (WLNE) — A six-year-old Coventry boy who was killed in a car crash in 2009, received a special honor for his life-saving organ donations.

Evan Tellier’s face will be featured on a float in California’s Rose Parade after his family’s selfless act of organ donation was noticed by the non-profit organization, Donate Life.

“Donor families to me are just the epitome of altruism. In their darkest hour, they’re able to think about others,” said Kelley Green from New England Donor Services.

Evan had just graduated from kindergarten when his life was tragically taken from him in a car crash.

“He sustained life-threatening injuries and was at UMass Worcester for several days before he succumbed to his brain death. And that was hard for everybody.”

Evan’s mom, Ashley Tellier-Rogers, said she didn’t even hesitate when asked to donate his organs.

“It wasn’t a decision, it was an immediate yes for us.”

Evan’s heart, kidneys, liver, and corneas helped save three lives. His heart went to an 8-year-old girl, and his kidneys went to two men in need.

Tellier-Rogers is now working to reduce the stigma surrounding organ donation. She volunteers for New England Donor Services in her spare time, to encourage other families to donate.

On Saturday, in a room full of friends and family, she and her youngest son put the finishing touches on Evan’s floral portrait. His face will be displayed on one of the float’s drums.

The honor is a first for a Rhode Island donor. Evan’s family will be flown out to California to watch the float go by from the grandstand.

For more information on organ donation, click here.