COEUR d’ALENE — Angela Farnes describes her husband, Dana, as “one in a million.”

Though Dana owns his own IT network company, he recently began working as a mentor for adults with special needs at a private local residential home.

“(He) loves serving others,” Farnes wrote on the GoFundMe page set up in his name. “He is a loyal and true friend.”

Last week, Dana stepped in when a student at the residential home in Coeur d'Alene began attacking another with a knife. He was stabbed once in the abdomen and again across the arm.

After his initial surgery at Kootenai Health, his injuries remained complicated. He was transported by Life Flight to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, and between July 3 and 5, Dana underwent three additional surgeries, losing his spleen and part of his pancreas.  

Now, after pulling through extensive surgery, Dana is beginning his road to recovery — which is not without obstacles.

“As his nurse put it ... his body has been hit by a semi-truck,” Farnes shared in an update Monday.

As of Tuesday, Dana remains unable to move, increasing the risk of infection or other complications.

Even so, he is seeing slow and steady victories. He has opened his eyes and attempted to speak. He has also been taken off the ventilator.

Because of the extensive time Dana will likely need to recover, Farnes has set up a GoFundMe page called “Support Dana Along His Recovery Journey” to help with related expenses and share updates on his recovery.

“The prayers and support of our community have been tremendous,” Farnes wrote.

As of Tuesday, the page has raised over $6,000. Proceeds will go toward supporting the couple while Dana remains at Harborview Medical Center and recovering wages lost from being unable to work.

“We know times are hard for all and will be just as happy to receive your continued prayers,” Farnes said.  

To donate: gofundme.com/f/support-dana-through-his-recovery.