GRESHAM, Ore. — The community rallied together for a blood drive in support of a Gresham firefighter who was severely burned during a rescue.
On May 30th, Spencer Tejedas was one of three firefighters trapped in a duplex fire that was started by a candle.
The fire grew rapidly and Tejedas suffered burns on more than 45% of his body.
Since then he’s undergone seven surgeries and used dozens of units of blood.
The Gresham Fire Chief says blood donations saved Tejeda’s life and this was a way for people to honor him.
“I think we’re doing okay. The support given to Spencer and his family, I think that makes the members of the fire department, men and women in the workforce, feel like they’re doing what they can. Certainly, there’s a bit of helplessness because of his medical condition, but lots of people have stepped, spent time visiting with the family in the hospital, cutting the grass, food deliveries, and just doing whatever they can to make time better for the Tejedas family,” Gresham Fire Chief Scott Lewis said.
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Tejedas’ wife says despite the challenges and setbacks they’ve had, Spencer has made significant progress in the past few weeks.
She says he’s more awake, aware, and smiling at his caregivers. She thanks the medical team at Legacy Emanuel Hospital for their work and dedication.
The two other firefighters who were also hurt in the fire are doing well and are back at work. The chief says Tejedas’ doctors expect him to be in the hospital for a few more weeks and then to do some rehab before he gets to go home.