February 2009
COURAGEOUS ROSE PARADE RIDER
Pomona, CA--Malcolm Gray of Pomona (left) is one of 14 Kaiser Permanente patients who have been selected to ride on the healthcare provider’s Rose Parade float on New Year’s Day. He is shown here with Rose Queen Courtney Chou Lee. Malcolm and the others were chosen to ride due to their heroic and inspiring fight against life-threatening health conditions.
Malcolm is a fun guy. He is outgoing, a jokester, and the life-of-the-party. What a credit to an individual who is living with sickle cell disease, a chronic hereditary anemia, primarily affecting African Americans, in which oxygen-deficient blood cells assume a crescent shape. Malcolm, 15, has had pneumonia, surgery to remove his gall bladder, suffers from asthma, and takes medication due to an enlarged heart with an irregular beat. His disease also requires that he receive monthly blood transfusions. In spite of all this, Malcolm has an upbeat personality, never complains, and, according to his mom, “has a high tolerance for pain.” He is physically active and loves to play basketball. He likes to read the Harry Potter books, and his favorite movie is “Star Wars.” He sees his mother as a hero because she helps others (she is a detective with the LAPD). Malcolm recently completed a photography class, and he now wants to continue studying the subject so he can one day become a professional photographer.
Kaiser Permanente’s playful and entertaining float is entitled, “Propel Your Dreams.” The float is a colorful and imaginative flying vehicle powered by inspiring children who cycle, row, and jog above floral clouds of solid roses. The images and the riders represent the importance of exercise and lifestyle in achieving and maintaining total health, a central theme of Kaiser Permanente’s ongoing “Thrive” message.
On January 1st, turn on your TV and look for Malcolm Gray on Kaiser Permanente’s Rose Parade float!