(CBS4) -- One year ago on this day, 41-year-old Jason Jahanian "woke up" after being in a coma for almost two weeks and nearly dying from COVID.

Jahanian was an avid runner with no pre-existing medical conditions, but says COVID hit him like a ton of bricks. He started having COVID symptoms March 23, 2020 and was hospitalized after becoming critically ill. Doctors gave him a 20% chance of survival.

Jahanian spent 19 days at The Medical Center of Aurora -- two weeks of that in the ICU.

He says he's doing fantastic now, thanks to the life-saving care and modern medicine he received.

"Health-wise, I am essentially back to normal but it is still an experience I think about every day. Life is special. And those saving lives need to continuously be thanked!" Jahanian said.

On Friday, he had lunch delivered to the ICU team at The Medical Center of Aurora to show his appreciation.