Firefighter Honored After Losing Life to Brain Tumor, Escorted To Donate His Organs
After battling an aggressive brain tumor, 31-year-old Colorado firefighter Cody Mooney died on March 2, leaving behind his pregnant wife, Emily, and their four children.
In an unbearably painful moment, South Metro Fire Rescue firefighter Mooney was escorted by family, friends and hospital staff as his body was wheeled down a hallway to donate his organs.
His death is a heartbreaking blow to the community that has rallied around the Mooney family since his diagnosis in 2017.
(1) Saving lives even after his last breath, Firefighter Cody Mooney was honored by family, friends, fellow firefighters and hospital staff @LittletonHosp tonight while being escorted to donate organs after losing his courages fight against an aggressive brain tumor. pic.twitter.com/vyf53wAWOF
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) March 3, 2019
Sam Phelps, a fellow firefighter, launched a GoFundMe campaign for the family, faithfully updating everyone on Mooney’s status over the months.
“This man is who you dream of having as a friend, husband, father, son and brother,” Phelps wrote. “I wouldn’t want anyone less coming to my rescue.”
Mooney had brain surgery in February to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
He contracted a surgical site infection that caused an aneurysm in his brain, leading to a stroke.
(2) At the young age of only 31 years old, Cody was taken from this world too soon. Firefighter Mooney leaves behind a beautiful family including his wife (who is expecting their fifth child in just a few weeks), as well as their other four children. pic.twitter.com/s1CvRnbCe6
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) March 3, 2019
Phelps posted a heartbreaking message from Emily Mooney, who has been relying on her Christian faith to see her through this tragedy.
“My sweet precious love finished his fight strong and is in the arms of Jesus,” she said. “He took so much of me with him.”
“But our fight isn’t over,” she continued. “And we will keep fighting just as hard in the days to come, in honor of him.”
Two of Mooney’s children are medically fragile, and the family needs a financial miracle to cover the costs of Mooney’s medical bills and the future medical needs of his children. He was the sole provider for his family.
Friends and family describe Mooney as a man who was a friend to everyone.
“The amount of people we’ve seen coming through the hospital is a testament to his character and who he was,” Phelps told KCNC-TV.
Mooney’s father, Kevin Mooney, said his son’s goal in life was to serve others.
“He would do this for anybody else. He would be there if you needed it,” Kevin Mooney said. “He gave his heart, he always gave his heart.”
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