"Mr. July" Honored as Volunteer of the Year

LifeGift volunteer and heart recipient Russ Hinman already is known to some as "Mr. July" since being featured in this year’s LifeGift annual calendar. A fervent advocate and supporter of organ donation, Hinman logged numerous hours during 2001 giving presentations, distributing thousands of donor cards, visiting patients, and staffing health fairs. That’s why LifeGift Organ Donation Center has selected Russ Hinman as its 2001 Volunteer of the Year.

Also an active volunteer with the Heart Exchange Support Group at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, last year Hinman and his wife Donna participated in LifeGift’s donor medal and candlelighting ceremonies. The annual ceremonies honor donors and pay tribute to family members who made the courageous decision to donate a loved one’s organs so that others could live.

The 57-year-old native Houstonian suffered from congestive heart failure and was transplanted at St. Luke’s July 13, 1999. He often speaks with deep emotion of the 14-year-old boy who saved his life. A landscape designer who formerly created beautiful exteriors for large hotels, Hinman now creates lovely settings for residences throughout the Houston area. He also is an avid golfer.

And he never misses an opportunity to tout organ and tissue donation. His mantra: make the decision to donate and share it with your family.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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