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Bridget McCulligan has spent nearly 20 years with Philly fire and worked the decade before that as an EMT, say her loved ones on GoFundMe.
For seven years, Bridget has been fighting cancer.
"Her first surgery in 2016 removed part of her tongue, and replaced it with tissue from her arm, followed by radiation treatments," said organizer Shannon Donovan. "She fought hard and bounced back and returned to work."
Bridget was back in service until last October when she was diagnosed, Donovan said. In surgery the following month, loved ones say the firefighter had "nearly all" of her tongue removed and replaced again, this time with tissue from her leg.
But when a follow-up scan in June showed the cancer had returned, doctors ordered another round of chemotherapy and scheduled yet another surgery, according to the GoFundMe.
In a Facebook post, she said she began her latest round of chemo last week.
"All of this to say, it has had a profound impact on her quality of life," Donovan said.
"Since she has had to have most of her tongue removed, she has difficulty speaking and eating solid foods. Something as simple as an everyday meal will never be enjoyed the way it once was."
Donovan says the GoFundMe will help ease the strain of treatment costs on Bridget and Ryanne, her partner and PFD colleague.
"Ryanne has been by Bridget's side taking care of her throughout all of the surgeries and treatments," Donovan said. "After all they've done for us and the community, let's lighten the load for them."
In the week since the campaign launched, more than $20,000 in donations have been pledged.
"Thank you for your support," Donovan told donors in an update. "It means the world to me and everyone in Bridget's Battalion."
Click here to support PFD firefighter Bridget McCulligan on GoFundMe.com.
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