Joseph Nguyen grew up in a community of faith and, in 2007, joined the Knights of Columbus in Denver, Colorado. When he contracted H1N1 in 2009, he was admitted to the hospital and unable to breathe. Following a two-week coma, he spent 32 days in and out of consciousness. During this time, Venerable Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan, a friend of his grandfather, appeared to him and told him the Blessed Mother would care for him. Joseph made a full recovery, which he attributes to Cardinal Van Thuan. He has since become a law enforcement officer, focussed on service to others.