Blood Drive Honors Those Who Saved Beloved Principal

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A blood drive will be held to honor a hospital which saved the life of a much-loved Miami-Dade high school principal after he was pinned under an SUV.

Miami-Dade police said 51-year-old Marilyn Aguilera was driving a silver GMC Envoy when she barreled through a fence at Tamiami ball park. Aguilera then mowed down Javier Perez who was helping to coach his son's little league team.

Perez, who is principal at South Dade Senior High, was rushed to Kendall Regional Medical Center where doctors were forced to amputate his legs.  He remains hospitalized in serious condition.

His students honored him with a candle light prayer vigil at the school after the accident.

"I would like to thank everyone for the outpour (sic) of support we have received for our family and especially Javier," said Perez's wife Maytee in a statement released on Tuesday. "I would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the wonderful trauma team and ICU nurses at Kendall Regional Hospital."

As a way of saying thank you to those who save her husband's life, Maytee said a blood drive has been organized in his name.

"Many of you have asked how you can help our family and at this time we ask that the prayers continue," wrote Maytee. "Additionally, we would like to show our gratitude to all the amazing individuals who work at Kendall Regional Hospital - Trauma Center. Therefore, we ask that you donate blood in Javi's honor to help replenish the hospital's blood supply."

On Friday, May 5th, the blood drive will take place at Kendall Regional Medical Center from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and at South Dade Senior High from 12 p.ml. to 5:30 p.m. and at Ronald Reagan Senior High from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

On Saturday, a second blood drive will be held at Kendall Regional Medical Center from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.