Firefighter with brain tumor given emotional escort through hospital to donate organs after his death
A beloved firefighter who died from an aggressive brain tumor on Saturday was given an emotional escort through the hospital in a final farewell. Footage of the powerful event has gone viral.
The death of firefighter Cody Mooney came after complications from the removal of his tumor, which was benign, according to his peers at South Metro Fire Rescue in Colorado. Mooney’s fellow firefighters — along with his pregnant wife, Emma — led the procession through the halls of Littleton Adventist Hospital, where he was treated, according to South Metro’s Twitter account.
“At the young age of only 31 years old, Cody was taken from this world too soon,” South Metro said in a tweet. In the video, onlookers — including friends, family and hospital staff — salute the fallen hero as his loved ones escort him to have his organs harvested for donation. “Saving lives even after his last breath” was how his peers described him.
“Caring for firefighter Cody Mooney and paying our respects to a true hero was an honor,” representatives for Littleton Adventist Hospital tweeted. “Thank you Cody for serving our community and continuing to save lives through your selfless gift of organ donation. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow first-responders.”
(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
Mooney joined South Metro after serving at Littleton Fire Rescue and Cunningham Fire, where he began his career in 2013, according to a tribute on South Metro’s website. “His calling was to serve the public, and he did that every day,” the group wrote. “South Metro personnel are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Cody and will continue to support his family through this difficult time. Losing Cody impacts all of us deeply.”
The firefighter was first diagnosed with a tumor growing on his brainstem in June 2017, according to Fox News. He underwent surgery to remove it two weeks ago, but later suffered complications.
“He made us all better people by what he did and how he lived,” the firefighter’s father, Kevin Mooney, told CBS4 in Denver. “He was the kind of guy, where if you showed up, he was your friend from the moment you met him.”
Mooney’s best friend and fellow firefighter, Sam Phelps, added, “The amount of people we’ve seen coming through the hospital is a testament to his character and who he was.”
Mooney was reportedly the sole provider for his family, and two of his children are “medically fragile,” according to CBS4. To help his family financially as they mourn his loss and try to get on their feet, Phelps has set up a GoFundMe. “This man is who you dream of having as a friend, husband, father, son and brother,” his life-long friend wrote on the fundraising page, which has collected more than $135,000 as of Tuesday morning.
“He would do this for anybody else,” Mooney’s father said of the fundraiser. “He would be there if you needed it. He gave his heart, he always gave his heart.”
South Metro Fire Rescue will hold a memorial service for Mooney on Friday at Mission Hills Church in Littleton. “All are welcome to come celebrate and honor his life,” they tweeted.
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