Fourteen years after the passing of a young North Bergen man, families, friends, and others will pay homage by way of a nationally televised parade next month.
Roberto Perez, who passed away due to a brain aneurysm at the age of 18, will be the sole New Jersey honoree in a parade Monday, Jan. 2 in Pasadena, Calif. The internationally televised parade will showcase the Donate Life’s Rose Parade Float, which will feature organ recipients and “floragraphs” of organ donors in an effort to increase awareness and encourage more people to become organ donors.
Last Saturday, a photograph of Roberto was converted into a “floragraph,” a portrait decorated with flowers, spices, seeds, and other organic materials. The portrait, which will be displayed on the float, will be one of 72 from 31 states, as well as Canada, Japan, and Taiwan.
“He was a healthy boy, and if he’s able to help other people, why not?” – Maria Perez
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Shocking news
Inside her North Bergen home last week, Maria Perez, Roberto’s mother, prepared to ship her son’s “floragraph” to Pasadena. Although she will not attend the parade, her and her family will be able to spot Roberto’s portrait from the comfort of their home.
Roberto, a graduate of North Bergen High School and an attendee of William Paterson University, was hospitalized after complaining of sudden headaches. Following three hours of brain surgery, doctors informed the parents that there was nothing else they could do.
Moments after losing Roberto, Maria’s husband, Carlos, still in tears, asked her if it would be appropriate to designate their son an organ donor.
“I’m going to be honest,” said Maria Perez, “I said no. It was hard for me to lose my son and then make that decision.”
Perez, who also has two daughters, added that after an hour of deliberation, she decided to follow the suggestion of her husband.
“It was like God was talking to me. I said yes. He was a healthy boy, and if he’s able to help other people, why not?”
After the decision, Roberto’s organs were donated to five recipients, many of which still remain in contact with the Perez family.
“By doing that, he was able to save five lives,” said Perez.
Friends with recipient
The family, inspired by their late son’s continuing legacy as a lifesaver, decided to become volunteers of the New Jersey Sharing Network. The organization often asks Maria to offer support to families who have recently lost loved ones. She often encourages these families to consider becoming organ donors, explaining the possible impact of the decision.
“I get a lot of interviews on television,” said Perez. “I try to explain how the body of your loved one can make a difference.”
The New Jersey Sharing Network held a ceremony in New Providence last Saturday, Dec. 10 commemorating the creation of the “floragraph.” The ceremony was attended by Frank Clark, a Cape May resident whose life was saved by a kidney donation from Roberto.
In fact, the Perez family often visits the Cape May home of Frank Clark for long weekends filled with fishing and boating trips.
“We’ve been doing it for awhile,” said Clark, 64, who remains healthy 14 years following the transplant. “We have a great relationship.”
Both Clark and Maria expressed their gratitude that Roberto will be the parade’s representative of New Jersey.
“It makes us very proud that Roberto is still doing things for other people [such as] making them more aware of organ donation.”
For more information about donation and transplantation in New Jersey, call 1-800-SHARE-NJ, or e-mail info@sharenj.org.
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.