AlloSource Sponsors New Jersey Tissue Recipient as Rider Aboard 2012 Donate Life Rose Parade Float

CENTENNIAL, Colo., Dec. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AlloSource,  (www.allosource.org) a leading developer, processor and distributor of bone and soft-tissue allografts for use in surgical procedures around the world, today announced its sponsorship of a living symbol of the evolving possibilities of tissue transplantation as a float rider aboard the annual Donate Life float in the Tournament of Roses Parade®.  Susan R. Cossabone, an equine instructor from Egg Harbor City, NJ, was no longer able to ride horses following a devastating car accident. But now Cossabone thrives and rides again thanks to a cutting-edge product consisting of bone and adult mesenchymal stem cells from a tissue donor. On January 2nd, Cossabone will join 27 other riders from around the country on the Donate Life float, now in its ninth year, in a tribute to the millions of people touched by organ, tissue and blood donation.

Cossabone always had a gift with horses and a passion for riding. That all changed in 2009, when a car struck her vehicle head-on. Cossabone's badly injured leg was saved with titanium rods. She was hopeful she could walk again, but her riding days were over. Later, the metal rods broke and her doctors discussed amputation, but Cossabone refused to accept it. In April 2010, her doctor applied AlloSource's, AlloStem® Stem Cell Bone Growth Substitute and by December, bone began to grow. By January 2011, Cossabone's leg no longer risked amputation, and in the spring, she realized her initial goal: walking again. In the fall of 2011 she triumphantly returned to her passion of horseback riding.

AlloStem is comprised of adult mesenchymal stem cells derived from a donor's fat tissue combined with a bone matrix from the same donor, providing the biological components involved in bone formation. Unlike embryonic stem cells, the stem cells in AlloStem can be recovered and transplanted without controversy and are accepted just like any other tissue or organ transplants by religious, political and ethical leaders.   

"I am so pleased to see Susan back to her love of riding horses, thanks to the help of the pioneering AlloStem tissue product," said Dr. Mark Meyerson, the orthopedic surgeon that treated Cossabone. "The science of tissue transplantation continues to evolve and tissue containing adult mesenchymal stem cells represents a major step forward, particularly in orthopedic surgery."

With a design inspired by floral clocks and clock towers from around the world, the 2012 Donate Life Rose Parade float "One More Day" features six enormous floral timepieces that will be adorned with 72 memorial "floragraphs" (floral portraits) of deceased donors whose gifts gave life and time to so many. A rose dedication garden honors more than 3,000 people worldwide; each vialed rose will bear a personal message of love and remembrance, while the garden's clock hands will turn backwards in a nod to the thousands of memorial dedications. Anchoring the float is a 33-foot clock tower with a rotating sun/moon dial reminding us to make each passing day count.

"We are thrilled to once again sponsor a float rider aboard the Donate Life Rose Parade float as a way to increase awareness about tissue donation, which is still lesser understood than organ donation but can have the same life-saving and life-enhancing benefits," said Thomas Cycyota, president and CEO of AlloSource. AlloSource, based in Centennial, Colorado, is the largest processor of live cell allografts in the world and manufactured the AlloStem used in Cossabone's transplant. "Susan is a symbol of the exciting new ways we can do more with life, thanks to the courageous generosity of tissue donors and their families."

The 2012 Donate Life float is built by Phoenix Decorating Co. from a design by Dave Pittman and is coordinated by Donate Life America member OneLegacy. The Donate Life float campaign is supported by more than 100 official sponsors from coast to coast, including organ and tissue recovery organizations, tissue banks, state donor registries, transplant centers, hospitals, funeral homes and affiliated organizations. For more information about the Donate Life float, visit http://www.donatelifefloat.org.

The 123rd Rose Parade presented by Honda, themed "Just Imagine," will take place Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at 8 a.m. (PST) featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands. Following the parade, the 98th Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO will kick off at 2:10 p.m. and feature an exciting match-up between two of the top collegiate football teams in the nation. For additional information on the Tournament of Roses please visit the official website at www.tournamentofroses.com.

Americans can register their decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor by visiting http://donatelife.net.

About AlloSource

AlloSource is a non-profit company that offers more than 200 types of precise bone, skin, soft-tissue and custom-machined allografts for use in an array of life-saving and life-enhancing medical procedures. As the world's leader in fresh cartilage tissue used for joint repair and skin allografts to heal severe burns, AlloSource has grown into one of the largest tissue networks in the country with more than 350 employees.  It is the world's largest processor of live cellular bone growth substitutes and delivers unparalleled expertise and customer service to its growing network of surgeons, partners and the country's most reputable organ procurement organizations. As one of the leading innovators in maximizing tissue donation with the goal of offering optimal solutions for healthcare providers and their patients, AlloSource is recognized by the medical community for its ability to process and provide high quality tissue. The company is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) and is headquartered in Centennial, CO. For more information, please visit our corporate website or educational website.

SOURCE AlloSource