jerry matteson is from indiana, and he's been doing this for 43 years. he will always remember that night and he will never forget the generosity of the people in the bay area. >> for me to get ready of what's going to happen. >> reporter: jerry matteson, a former marine, says he lunged towards the person who broke into his truck when the gun went off. minutes before, he had been sleeping in his truck in oakland. he barely remembers calling 911. >> i said, you better do it quick, because the lights are about to go out. >> reporter: his wife flew in from indiana. the hospital gave her a small stipend. >> $172 they gave me. >> reporter: an employee read about it on facebook and contacted her boss. >> started making phone calls, talking to the case workers and burn unit, talking to everybody here at the hospital. >> reporter: st. francis hospital has the largest burn unit in northern california, which specializes in skin grafting. >> he had a very large open wound that was a complication of his gunshot wound. it needed new skin to be put on him. >> reporter