Support continues for NM Firefighter

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - As Albuquerque Firefighter Vincent Cordova continues to recover from a surgery he hopes will save his life, people who don't even know him are continuing to try and help .

Cordova has been battling a rare brain tumor. His medical treatment is more than $1 million, but he's gained a flood of support.

Swinging hips swept the dance floor at Albuquerque's Moose Lodge. Raffles tickets were sold, food was shared, and all of it was to help Cordova.

"He's just an inspiration overall, with just the way he approached this whole situation," explained Paula Narvaez, who's never met Cordova, but helped organize the fundraiser. "I think that's why he's impacted so many other people because of his positive attitude and his determination to win and to fight the fight," Narvaez said.

Cordova has been fighting off a deadly brain tumor . Recently he underwent an intense three-day surgery to try and remove it.

Community members are fighting along with him. The Moose Lodge fundraiser earned almost five-thousand dollars in pre-sold raffle tickets alone, and the money kept coming.

The Moose Lodge donated $500. Narvaez said the support has been overwhelming.

"My name is on the flyer but without each and every person that has been in this room, this could not have taken place, thanks," she said to the crowd, tearing up.

Fellow fire fighters also gathered in support. Retired fire fighter Zeke Hernandez never fought a fire with cordova, but said his current battle hits home.

"It's pretty close to me because I just got diagnosed with lung cancer about a month ago," Hernandez said.

When KRQE News 13 spoke with Cordova before his surgery last month, his wish was simple.

"Right now my biggest thing is prayer, prayer is the most important thing to get me though everything," Cordova said.

His family's wish is still the same, and Sunday the firefighter brotherhood was exemplified.

"That makes me feel good because all the firefighters are close, I mean no matter what family you're with, you know what department, you're all a family," Hernandez said.

Fellow fire fighters from station 8 have also helped out Cordova. Last month they won $10,000 in the Mega-Millions Lottery , and they shared part of their winnings with Cordova.

Shortly after the lottery winners shared part of their jackpot, Cordova's story made national headlines. Financial help poured in from across the country.

To follow Cordova's recovery, click here .