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2015 FLORAGRAPH

 JOSHUA STEVEN FLORENCE

Organ and Tissue Donor
Age 19 ~ Glendale, AZ
Donated on 5/3/2007
at John C. Lincoln

Sponsored by Donor Network of Arizona


Joshua "Josh" Steven Florence was a talented athlete who helped lead his high school soccer and football teams to the state championship games in 2005. He was competitive but compassionate and always willing to help others. At 19, he was planning a career in landscaping when his car was struck from behind as he waited at a red light. His family was positive he would want to help others and donating his organs and tissue seemed natural. Through his gifts of life he lives on in the four people he saved and in the memories of his family and friends.


Joshua's Story

Joshua "Josh" Steven Florence was an outgoing and joyful person whose generosity and love for life inspired everyone he met.

At a young age, Josh showed a talent for sports, and his love for soccer bloomed as he played for various soccer clubs throughout his childhood. With his athletic skills he joined the Cactus High School varsity soccer team and helped lead them to a second-place finish in the state championships and their football team as a defensive back and kicker in their 2005 state championship season.

"Growing up, he was always very active and playful," said his mother, Sandy Florence. "He was competitive but compassionate and always willing to help others."

At 19, Josh also loved his job at a nursery, and was working toward a career in the landscaping business when life changed forever for the Florence family. In May 2007, Josh's car was struck from behind as he waited at a red light. Twenty-four hours later, he was pronounced brain dead. Josh's family chose to donate his organs and tissue, hoping his gifts would help the lives of those in desperate need of transplants.

Josh's mother recalls a brief conversation she had with him about donation after the passing of one of his friends. She never imagined they would be making the decision to donate Josh's organs shortly afterwards.

"Josh had such a kind and giving soul and was so full of life," Sandy said. "We were positive that Josh would want to help others in any way he could, and making the decision to donate seemed natural."

Josh saved the lives of four people and healed many more as a result of his tissue gifts. His family met his kidney and liver recipient in November 2007, and the two families have remained close.

Through his gifts, Josh joins the "Never-Ending Story" of donation as he lives on in those whose lives he saved and healed, and in the memories of his family and friends.