Porterville teen to be remembered on Rose Parade float

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) -- Friends and family of a Porterville teenager gathered ton Wednesday to honor him with a special dedication.

Officials unveiled a floral portrait of Edward "Lalo" Alcantar that will be placed on the Donate Life Float in the 2015 Rose Parade. Alcantar told his parents if anything ever happened to him, he wanted to be an organ donor.

At the time his parents brushed it off, but when faced with his sudden passing, they knew it was the right thing to do. "It's nice for the young generation, especially the Hispanics, they voice their desire to be a donor. If my son would have never mentioned it to me it would have been different to make that decision," said Lydia Alcantar, Lalo's Mother.

Lalo's image will be among 72 others included on the float. About 1,500 people in the Fresno area are waiting for organs.