Watsonville Fire Captain who survived hunting accident promoting blood drive

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION) On Friday, the American Red Cross' Central Coast Chapter will be hosing a blood drive, and a Watsonville Fire Captain who knows the importance of donating blood will be there.

Captain Danny Lucas has not only seen his fair share of injuries in his role at the Watsonville Fire Department-- he was on the receiving end of blood donations after a hunting accident in Montana back in November.

According to the American Red Cross, Lucas was accidentally shot while out on a hunting trip with his sons and father-in-law by a Montana resident who joined the party. The bullet hit Lucas' left leg, shattering his femur above the knee and tearing the femoral artery.

Lucas underwent emergency surgery, according to the American Red Cross, but after a five-day medically-induced coma, he was told that the bottom half of his leg may need to be amputated because of blood loss and nerve damage, and Lucas decided to go ahead with the amputation.

After 41 days, 24 units of blood, 4 units of iron, injections of red blood cells, pain medications and dialysis treatments, Lucas is back home in Watsonville, according to the American Red Cross. He has shared his gratitude to those who helped him, but also for those who donated the blood doctors used to save him. Lucas was also a regular blood donor and attended blood drives at the Watsonville Women's Club.

The American Red Cross said Lucas will be at the drive to thank people for making a donation. It will be held at the Pajaro Valley Health Trust Hall Friday from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

To make an appointment to donate blood in Lucas' honor at the drive, use sponsor code WATSONVILL on the Red Cross Blood Donor app, at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-733-2767.