UPDATE: A GoFundMe page has been started in memory of Jimmy and Tracy Lambert. The proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the family.

“This is a tragedy beyond words or measure,” wrote the user Thomas Simon, who started the page. “There is not anything that anyone can say or do to make it better or to truly know the measure of grief and hardship of the boys as they continue throughout their life. There is no understanding that can be found, nor comfort that could be had. Our only hope is to celebrate the lives of both Jimmy and Tracy as best we can.”

Members of the Chapel Hill Fire Department expressed their grief after a member died following a battle with a rare form of cancer.

Jimmy Lambert, who served as a driver-operator for the Chapel Hill Fire Department, died on Sunday. He is survived by his two sons.

Lambert’s story became widely known in November, after a collection of Orange County firefighters and emergency services workers held an event to raise funds for his family. Aimed to be an annual event, the Orange County Firefighters’ Bash Against Cancer donated all its proceeds to help Lambert as he continued his battle with the disease and following the death of his wife, Tracy, from cancer.

Chapel Hill Fire Chief Vence Harris said in a statement the staff and fire service community stepped up to really help Lambert’s family and that they will miss Lambert dearly.

“Jimmy fought a courageous battle with this rare form of cancer,” wrote Harris, “and his sons and family were there with him every step of the way. Our thoughts and prayers right now are with Jimmy, and of especially Jimmy and Tracy’s sons, Thomas and Jacob. If we can find any comfort in this challenging time, it is that Jimmy is no longer in pain.”

Former Chapel Hill Fire Chief Daniel Jones shared a post memorializing Lambert on Monday, calling him “one of the finest men…I ever had the honor to hire and work with.”

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, studies show firefighters are nine percent more likely to receive cancer diagnoses than the general U.S. population.

Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

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