Apple Valley organ recipient finishes race

Victorville Daily Press | Rene de la Cruz
Lena Russell, of Apple Valley, participated in Donate for Life's 'Run Walk Family Festival' in Fullerton on Saturday morning. As the Donate for Life ambassador for the Inland Empire, Russel is working to have April proclaimed as National Donor Month for the town of Apple Valley.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RICHARD BARRIOS

APPLE VALLEY • With one lung and a heart of determination, Lena Russell participated in Donate for Life's "Run Walk Family Festival" in Fullerton on Saturday morning.

“Cedar (Sinai) said my transplant was too young to run the 5K, so I walked it,” said Russell, of Apple Valley, who received her new lung less than two years ago. “I’m not complaining. I’m still alive.”

Russell, 66, said it took about 40 minutes to complete the course with her teenage grandson, Richard Barrios.

As a Donate for Life ambassador for the Inland Empire, Russell has been busy over the past few weeks, working to have April proclaimed as National Donor Month for the town of Apple Valley, and planning a new donor support group for the High Desert.

Less than a week after the Daily Press published her donor story, Russell said she received an avalanche of calls and letters from High Desert residents wanting more information on a local donor group.

“I had people walking up to me in the grocery store and at the gym telling me their donor story. I knew the need was great, but I had no idea I’d meet so many people so quickly,” Russell said. “Then I met Barb Stanton for the first time and it really rocked my world.”

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