Mesa firefighter dies at age 36 after long battle with rare form of cancer

PHOENIX – A young Mesa firefighter has died after battling a rare form of cancer for more than two years.

Retired Capt. Trevor Madrid died Sunday afternoon while surrounded by family and friends, the Mesa Fire and Medical Department announced Monday. He was 36.

“This is a difficult time for our organization and it is crucial that we care for and support each other. Our thoughts and prayers continue for the Madrid family as we work through the days ahead. Rest in peace Trevor and thank you for your service,” the department said on Facebook.

Madrid was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in March 2019. The disease is diagnosed in just 1-2 people per million in the U.S. each year, according to the National Cancer Institute.

The city of Mesa approved Madrid’s worker’s compensation claim, deeming his cancer a direct result from his work environment. He spent 13 years with Mesa Fire and Medical.

Madrid documented his battle with cancer by posting regularly to his popular TikTok account, which has than 210,000 followers and has generated more than 4 million likes.

“I’ve been putting myself out there a lot on TikTok … just trying to bring awareness of firefighters having cancer,” Madrid told KTAR News 92.3 FM last year. “My biggest thing is to be positive going through this.”

@kind_knots

Sorry for being MIA guys, started a new treatment a month ago. My updates on IG! #fightfortrevor #cancer #sarcoma #chemo

♬ Might Be – Remix – DJ Luke Nasty

A Sept. 24 video of Madrid doing a dance step on a hospital bed was viewed more than 277,000 times.

“We appreciate the outpouring of support to Trevor’s family and his extended fire department family. We will be working with Trevor’s family to facilitate their needs, as we get closer to his memorial services,” Mesa Fire and Medical said on Facebook.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.

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