ELKHART, Ind. (WNDU) - Madison Tucker got to say thank you tonight.

In July, the 25-year-old was a passenger on a motorcycle that was hit by a hit-and-run driver in Elkhart.

First responders with the Elkhart Fire Department saved Madison’s life with an unusual blood transfusion administered in the field.

Madison suffered traumatic injuries in the crash that killed her good friend, Caleb Watson. She lost a lot of blood.

Because of a new program — a collaborative effort between the City of Elkhart, Beacon Health and the South Bend Medical Foundation — the lifesaving donated blood she needed was available in the field.

First responders transfused Madison before she was flown by helicopter to Indianapolis for treatment of her catastrophic injuries.

“It changed my life because I’m here

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