THERE’S NO BETTER WAY to celebrate the gift of life than by participating in the Hero Hustle 5K on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at the Dana World Headquarters campus in Maumee!
Life Connection of Ohio, the non-profit organization that serves families and saves lives through organ donation, and Solvita (formerly Community Tissue Services), the non-profit organization that serves families and heals lives through tissue donation, are partnering together again for this awareness event. The goal of the Hero Hustle 5K, now in its 11th year, is to strengthen support, education, and recognition of organ, eye, and tissue donation in Northwest Ohio.
On November 2, registration will start at 7:30 a.m., the Kids’ Fun Run will start at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K Run/Walk and 1-mile Family Fun Run will start at 9:00 a.m. There will also be a Virtual Run option and K9 Hero Kits for the dogs.
All the details can be found at davesraces.com.
At the Hero Hustle 5K, many donor families form teams in honor of their loved ones who gave the gift of life through organ, eye, and/or tissue donation as a way to celebrate their lifesaving legacies. One such donor hero is Steven Mendieta.
Steven was a hardworking carpenter who enjoyed collecting classic cars, making a mess in the kitchen while cooking, being outdoors, and spending time with his family. He truly lit up the room, could bring a smile to anyone’s face, and was passionate about helping those in need. Sadly, on January 22, 2023, 46-year-old Steven passed away. But his light continued to shine through his gift of organ donation.
“His donation has meant so much to us. The last gift he could give was to his recipients and their families to
1 6/19/24 9:58 AM continue smiling and laughing as he always was in his life. It has brought us comfort knowing his gift of donation has given new life to others,” Steven’s daughter, Marina, said. Sharing her father ’s lifesaving legacy through volunteering with Life Connection of Ohio has become a passion for Marina. “Volunteering has brought me a sense of gratitude and peace to deal with the loss of my father. Being able to raise awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation has helped me honor my father and his wish to be a donor,” she said.
Because of the incredible generosity of people like Steven and his family, transplant recipients like George Mullan have the opportunity to spend more time with their families and celebrate their renewed health at the Hero Hustle 5K.
George was diagnosed with familial cardiomyopathy, and his condition worsened over the years to the point of him needing a lifesaving heart transplant. (His father suffered from the same disease and was waiting for a heart 20 years before him, but he sadly did not receive one in time.) George’s heart was growing weaker by the day, but everything changed on July 25, 2018, when George received the transplant that he so desperately needed.
George is grateful that his second chance at life has given him the opportunity to spend more time with his wife of 50 years, his three sisters, his four sons, and his 10 grandchildren. George and his family look forward to the Hero Hustle 5K every year, and they are amazed how far George has come and the fact that he is healthy enough to participate.
When asked what he would say to his donor family if given the chance, George said, “I’m absolutely sorry for your loss, but what it has done for me, what I feel it has done for my family, what I hope it has done for others…It’s an absolute miracle.”
George volunteers with Life Connection of Ohio to raise awareness about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation and to give back for the incredible gift he received.
Join Marina, George, and many other donor families, transplant recipients, and supporters at the most meaningful 5K around—the Hero Hustle!
This awareness event could not come at a more crucial time. Currently, there are more than 100,000 people on the national transplant waiting list, including 2,500 Ohioans. Sadly, 20 people die every day waiting for an organ transplant. The good news: One person has the power to save up to eight lives through organ donation and heal 125 more through tissue and cornea donation.
To say “yes” to saving lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation, visit lifeconnection.org. To register for the Hero Hustle 5K, visit davesraces.com. Kara Steele is Director of Community Services for Life Connection of Ohio. ✲
