CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The season of giving has a whole new meaning this year for border patrol agent, Christopher Alaniz.
Wednesday marked the start of the first-ever "Thank the Donor Meet and Greet," hosted by the Coastal Bend Blood Center.
Alaniz was able to meet his donor for the very first time and express his gratitude for saving his life after the 18-wheeler accident that left him in dire need back in May.
"If you're able to give blood, give it," he said. "You might not see it right away but it's going to help someone's life at the most critical part of their life."
3NEWS spoke with his donor Leandro Marquez, who selflessly donated his blood back in April, that would then be utilized to save Christopher the following month. He told me exactly how he felt. Knowing he not only saved a life but a family as well.
"I feel good inside, I feel very good. I'm glad I met this man and finally saw him for the first time. It's like a dream come true," he said.
After being in a coma for fourteen days, a lifesaving blood transfusion and doctors working day in and day out, faith began to reappear for Christopher's wife Veronica.
"When he woke up on Mother's Day, to be honest with you, that was like the best gift ever," she said.
After seeing firsthand how impactful it is to donate blood, Marquez set a goal for himself: To donate 50 gallons of blood. He is halfway to that goal. He encourages other to continue saving lives across the Coastal Bend.
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