Andrea Carney, a Wasilla teen who died in 2000, is being honored for her decision to become a tissue donor with her picture on a Donate Life America float in the 121st Tournament of Roses Parade Friday.

Alaskans who want to see the float will have to get up early; the parade is broadcast at 7 a.m. here. See it on KTUU, KIMO or on cable channels HGTV, The Travel Channel, the Hallmark Channel, Univision and Rural Free Delivery TV. The Donate Life America float, a giant flower-covered phoenix, is fourth in the parade lineup.

Michael French, state team leader of Life Alaska Donor Services, which coordinates organ and tissue donation in Alaska, said Carney is the second Alaskan to be honored on a Donate Life float. Palmer teen Sharday Badillo, who died in 2003 when she lost control of her truck and crashed, was honored on the float last year.

Carney, 17, became a tissue donor when she got her drivers' license at age 16. She committed suicide Jan. 15, 2000. Her family said she was a friendly and outgoing Wasilla High senior, had just graduated school and planned to go into nursing. Her mother, Karen Carney, said dealing with her oldest daughter's death was difficult, but family members did not hesitate when Life Alaska called and asked whether the family wanted to donate Andrea Carney's tissues.

Read more about Andrea Carney's donation and her family's participation in the parade in the Wednesday Mat-Su edition.