Five years ago, the medical staff at San Francisco General Hospital saved Margaret Timbrell’s life after she was struck by a truck while riding her bike. Today, she is giving back. The S.F.-based artist was one of 14 chosen to participate in this year’s Hearts in San Francisco series fundraiser. Trimbell’s artwork will be auctioned off at the Heroes & Hearts Luncheon on Thursday at AT&T Park.

When did you realize that you wanted to be an artist? I think kindergarten. I remember we had a project making dragons out of paper. And my art teacher complemented me on it. My family is very encouraging of creativity. I was encouraged to go to art school at NYU.

Can you tell us about your accident in 2007? I was bicycling to work and a pickup truck made an illegal righthand turn. I was right there. It crushed me, the back tires crossed my chest and I had a lot of broken bones and pierced lungs. I was in a really bad state, bad enough that my mom told me afterwards that the police were holding the guy who ran me over there, waiting to see if I was to live or die.

What does it mean to you to give back to S.F. General? I’m happy to give whatever I can. I’ve been really impressed with S.F. General. I had a really great experience there. They took an extreme personal interest in my case. They worked and took care of me. They made a really bad situation a lot better.