Firefighters Use Mega Millions Win to Save Friend's Life
Five Albuquerque firemen who won thousands during last Friday's Mega Millions lottery have donated part of their winning ticket to help save a friend's life.
The five servicemen from the Albuquerque Fire Department in New Mexico went in on a lottery ticket during Friday's historic Mega Millions giveaway and the firefighters' ticket matched five of the six numbers wining them a total $10,000.
Despite the win, the servicemen decided to give back by donating some of the funds to the firefighter's Survivor Fund to help out another colleague and friend Vince Cordova.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Cordova, 24, is struggling with a rare brain tumor that fortunately doctors will be able to surgically remove - at the cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
"(Cordova) has such a great attitude. He looks at it as another challenge, like he would a structure fire we face as firemen," firefighter Gilbert Baca told KOAT ABC 7 News.
"He's going to overcome it. He's positive and he's strong – that's the kind of man he is," Baca added.
The firefighters are hoping that their generosity inspires others to give back to those in need and particularly hoping to inspire others to help Cordova.
"We're hoping that our donation and some of the other donations that have been provided by other firefighters and community (members) are going to be able to stimulate awareness to the Firefighters Survivors Fund," firefighter Jed Hyland told the local news agency.
Hyland even wrote a letter to the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) to explain why the firefighters made the generous donation.
"Our contribution was inspired by the bold advocacy and selfless generosity exhibited by so many in our membership, and by our sincere desire to help our Brother Vince Cordova and his family, OUR family, in this time of crisis," the letter read.
Winners of the record jackpot were announced last Saturday.
