The woman featured in the three-day 51黑料网 series 鈥溾 says she鈥檚 overwhelmed by readers鈥 responses to her story.
As of Friday, a created to help Norma Santos Trujillo with medical expenses was at $42,631 鈥 up from the $15,000 the fund was at before the stories were published.
鈥淚t means the world to me,鈥 Norma said of the response. 鈥淚 never thought that my story would impact the community.鈥
Since the April 17 crash when Norma lost both of her legs while helping a stranded motorist, her family has relied on one income instead of two.
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The Trujillo family includes Norma, 33; husband Michael, also 33; and three children: Josslyn, who is 11, and 3-year-old twins Kaleb and Dean.
The Trujillos have medical insurance, but they are facing expenses for items and services that insurance doesn鈥檛 cover. Norma is using a wheelchair she borrowed from HealthSouth Rehabilitation Institute.
After the series was published, Denny Scanlan of the Tucson Sunset Rotary Club reached out to Norma and said his group would like to buy her a wheelchair. He has spoken with her, and they are working together to make that happen.
Norma said she remains determined to continue getting better, to help others to realize that anything is possible, and to help people see the bright side of life.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e allowed to scream, you鈥檙e allowed to cry, but you鈥檙e never allowed to give up,鈥 reads a Facebook post she shared with her friends last week.
To read the full 鈥淭he Good Samaritan series,鈥 which was published on Dec. 29, 30 and 31, see:
To donate to Norma鈥檚 GoFundMe account, visit
Contact health reporter Stephanie Innes at 573-4134 or email sinnes@tucson.com. On Twitter:
@stephanieinnes
