PALMER — Five years after she died in a tragic automobile accident, Sharday Badillo is still giving back.

She’s helping 48 people live a better life — from a 6-year-old boy to a 65-year-old woman — and 46 people in between.

For years, only those 48 people and a handful more knew of Sharday’s contributions. In a couple weeks, thousands more will find out.

MICHAEL ROVITO/Frontiersman Sherry Moreno holds the picture of her daughter, Sharday Badillo, who will be recognized during the Rose Bowl Parade for donating her tissue after dying in a car accident in 2003.

On Jan. 1, Sharday’s name will glide past thousands along a parade route and millions watching on television during the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, Calif. The Stars of Life float, in its sixth year, recognizes donors who have made a difference for others.

Sharday’s mother, Sherry Moreno, will be on the float as well, riding along in remembrance of a daughter that gave her so much inspiration in life, and continues to do so years after her death.

On Wednesday, Moreno, her eyes wet with tears, recounted the journey she’s taken since that day in November 2003.

Sharday, who was a senior at Colony High School, was on Trunk Road Nov. 23, 2003, when the Ford Ranger she was driving apparently slid out of control and struck a tree.

Sharday died at the scene of the crash. She was 17.

Shortly after, Moreno decided Sharday would be a tissue donor, allowing medical experts to transplant her skin, tissue, bones and heart valve to recipients desperate for medical intervention.

By doing so, Sharday has helped patients across the country deal with and heal from their medical crises.

“My daughter’s made a tremendous impact,” Moreno said.

The years since Sharday’s death have been an emotional roller coaster for Moreno. Some days she does better than others, but there are times when the pain of losing her daughter is almost too much to bear.

Like many grieving parents, out-living her child has pained Moreno. But she takes solace in knowing even after her daughter’s death, Sharday has continued to do exactly what she did while she was alive.

“She just had so much unconditional love,” Moreno said. “She lived pretty passionately. I know that Sharday is still out there, and she is still helping people.”

When Moreno goes to California for the New Year’s Day parade, she’ll be the first Alaskan to ride the Stars of Life float.

The float features 36 gold stars with floragraphs — pictures of donors created with floral materials — showing donors who have affected lives with their charity.

Family members of the donors, transplant recipients and living donors ride on the float. What’s more, family members of the donors create the floragraphs themselves, something Moreno just completed.

Using Sharday’s senior picture, Moreno transposed it on a piece of plywood, then filled the picture with organic materials to color it in.

“It’s just breathtaking,” Moreno said.

Next comes riding with her daughter’s picture along with others who’ve touched the lives of many.

“I’m very humbled by the experience,” Moreno said.

Moreno also has a message for families, urging them to discuss the topic of tissue or organ donation long before any decision must be made. With everyone on the same page, it’s easier on the family to carry out their loved one’s wishes, Moreno said.

With Sharday, Moreno had no idea until weeks later that her daughter had already thought about donating.

While going through her room one afternoon, Moreno came upon a cup on the windowsill of Sharday’s room. Inside the cup, between a bundle of cards, was an organ donor card, completely filled out by Sharday.

After seeing that, Moreno said she knew she made the right decision to donate her daughter’s tissue.

The card, and the decision it represented, became just one more reason Moreno said she so admires her daughter.

“She taught me a lot,” Moreno said. “I was blessed I had her for 17 years.”

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.