UFW Co-Founder Huerta Shows Improvement

Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America, is improving and acknowledging friends and family members after three surgeries to stop intestinal bleeding, a Bakersfield hospital spokesman said.

Huerta remained in critical condition and her prognosis was guarded Thursday, more than a week after she was first sent to Bakersfield Heart Hospital with a bleeding ulcer. An arterial abnormality was discovered later and repaired over the weekend.

Hundreds of telephone calls, cards and bouquets of flowers have arrived at the hospital for Huerta, 70.

The union veteran was scheduled to campaign this weekend for Vice President Al Gore. The presidential candidate called from his campaign plane to speak to family members and wish Huerta well, said Fidel Huerta, the union founder’s son.