March to honor those who donated organs

Between the two of them, 13 people’s lives were saved.

When 31-year-old Newport Beach Firefighter Kevin Pryor died of a sudden brain hemorrhage in June 2008, what was at once a tragedy also became a bittersweet blessing for seven people who received his organs.

About a month later, tragedy struck again when 7-year-old Carson Bosley, a student at Our Lady Queen of Angels School, died from bleeding in his brain.

Six of his organs were donated.

Such stories, where families have to suffer loss for others to receive the greatest of gifts — a second chance at life — will be the focus of Saturday morning’s march in Fullerton to raise awareness of donating organs.

Pryor’s fellow firefighter, Capt. Chad Ponegalek, will speak before the crowd of more than 7,000 Southern Californians and Pryor’s family.

He said it will be short and to the point, just like the event’s message Saturday — pledge to donate your organs and save a life.

The 5K “Donate Life Run/Walk and Family Festival,” hosted by One Legacy, will feature local celebrities and city dignitaries and begins at 9 a.m. at Memorial Grove on the Cal State Fullerton campus, 800 State College Blvd.

Ponegalek said his experience with One Legacy last year while Pryor was in the hospital opened his eyes.

“I think, just going through the whole process and seeing how helpful they were, especially with the Pryor family and us, it was a pretty tough time for everyone. Their whole organization, they were always helpful and there to answer questions,” he said. “It was a horrible situation, and they definitely made it a little easier to cope with some of the questions and concerns people had.”

In honor of those who have donated, participants will wear buttons and shirts donning the faces and names of those whose death has given others a chance at life, like Pryor.

Eight baskets of doves will be released in honor of past organ donors.

“I think his legacy is going to continue to live on ... I think the department as a whole will never forget the kind of person he was. Not only as a co-worker but as a friend, and I think we will continue to keep that going,” Ponegalek said.

Reporter JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.