Dana Farnes considers himself a fortunate man. On July 3, 2025, the 56-year-old from Walla Walla, Washington, was stabbed multiple times while attempting to break up a knife fight between residents at a Coeur d’Alene group home for adults with special needs—a facility where he volunteered twice a week. The injuries he sustained, including wounds to his stomach, liver, kidney, and forearm, along with the loss of his spleen and damage to his pancreas, should have been fatal. Instead, rapid response from first responders and exceptional medical care gave him a second chance.
Farnes underwent life-saving intervention at both Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he was transported by air ambulance. During his treatment, medical professionals transfused more than 100 units of blood into his body as he battled multiple complications, including embolisms and sepsis. The severity of his condition made stabilization extraordinarily difficult.
Gratitude in Action
Nearly a year after the attack, Farnes gathered with the medical professionals and first responders who played critical roles in his survival. A recognition event held Wednesday morning at Kootenai Health brought together the team that fought to keep him alive during his darkest hours. Among those present were fire personnel from Coeur d’Alene Fire and the emergency medicine physicians who worked around the clock to treat his life-threatening injuries.
Lauren Apgar, the Kootenai Health emergency medicine physician who treated Farnes in the immediate aftermath of his stabbing, recalled the gravity of his arrival at the hospital. “When he came in, he was very difficult to stabilize. He was just so, so sick,” Apgar said. The months that followed brought Farnes continued health complications, including the development of a hernia and ongoing recovery from his internal injuries.
From Tragedy to Resilience
Today, Farnes lives on a farm outside Plummer with his wife Angela. He operates an IT network company and maintains his commitment to volunteering in the community, regularly serving at a local soup kitchen that feeds the needy. His pastoral support came from John Solomon, his pastor at LifeSource Community Church in Coeur d’Alene, who stood alongside him throughout his recovery.
For Apgar and other medical professionals involved in Farnes’ case, the opportunity to see their patient healthy and thriving provided a rare moment of closure in emergency medicine. “To come back to shake his hand? This has been really, incredibly rewarding for me to get that closure,” Apgar said.
Morgan Zajicek, representing Coeur d’Alene Fire, was among those recognized for their rapid response to the emergency. The coordinated efforts of first responders and hospital staff—from the initial scene response through advanced surgical intervention and intensive care—created the conditions that allowed Farnes to survive injuries that might otherwise have claimed his life.
What Comes Next
Farnes’ recovery stands as a testament to the skill and dedication of North Idaho’s medical and emergency response personnel. While his physical wounds have largely healed, his experience underscores the critical importance of trauma centers equipped to handle severe injuries and the training of first responders prepared to act decisively in life-or-death situations. His continued involvement in community service and his presence at the recognition event demonstrate the profound impact that quality emergency care can have on preserving not just life, but the ability to live a meaningful existence in service to others.