The father of a Penn State student critically injured Oct. 28 by an alleged drunk driver said his son is slowly progressing and students are planning fundraisers to help with the medical bills.

Aaron Stidd remains in critical condition in the adult intensive care unit of Geisinger Medical Center in Danville -- where he has been since the accident -- but he has not had any major medical setbacks in about four days, which his father, Jay Stidd, said is very impressive.

"He's still a sick kid," Jay Stidd said. "But he's inching forward. This slow progress is far better than what we had last week at this time."

Since last week, Jay Stidd said Aaron Stidd's doctors have brought him out of the medically induced deep coma.

His doctors had created the coma to give his brain time to rest and to get his cranial pressures down to "an acceptable level."

He said the approach was successful, and Aaron Stidd was brought out of the deep coma; however, Aaron Stidd still remains unconscious, and he is on a respirator.

"People should see that he is still very sick and there is no guarantee," Jay Stidd said.

"There is a light at the end of tunnel, but we just don't know how long that tunnel is."

Jay Stidd said that surgery intended to reconstruct both of Aaron Stidd's knees is tentatively scheduled for sometime today.

But he said that the surgery is non-emergency and will only take place if nothing else problematic comes up.

Jay Stidd said his son has also improved by being able to now respond to external stimuli around him.

Meanwhile, Penn State students are preparing to hold fundraisers that will raise awareness and money for Aaron Stidd and his family.

A spaghetti dinner is being planned for after Thanksgiving to benefit the Stidd family, said Steve Glaser (senior-industrial engineering), a friend of Aaron Stidd.

Glaser said there are also plans to have rubber wristbands made and sold for Aaron Stidd's benefit. Glaser said the slogan that will appear on the wristbands has not been decided.

Jay Stidd said he is working on setting up a trust fund in Aaron Stidd's name for people who wish to donate money to Aaron Stidd's medical expenses.