Help Coach Mo Kirby Recover From Brain Bleed and Stroke

On what seemed like a regular day on Monday, April 21st, Maurice "Mo" Kirby went to work and finished the evening doing what he loves most: coaching his 5th/6th grade and 16U girls basketball teams at Valley Basketball Club, where he serves as the Director.

In the middle of practice, Mo was suddenly hit with an extreme, debilitating headache. He laid on the floor in pain and couldn't hold his head up. Thankfully, the parents at the gym that night recognized something was seriously wrong and acted quickly, rushing him to the hospital. Their fast action saved his life.

Doctors discovered that Mo had suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a serious brain bleed that also extended into his neck and spinal cord. He also suffered two small strokes. He was immediately airlifted by helicopter to Chandler Regional for life-saving treatment.

This experience was terrifying and unexpected, as Mo is only 30 years old and very active. Doctors still don’t know how or why this happened, and have relayed they may never know.

But what we do know is if you know Mo, you know he's a fighter. As he always says, “keep stacking days” to his young athletes, he means it. He's been "stacking days" in the hospital and in recovery, one at a time, and is determined to make a full recovery so he can get back to the community he loves and serves.

Mo is able to talk and move a bit, and he continues to heal each day. But his body is exhausted from how serious this was. Even simple tasks, like standing or walking for more than a few minutes, still bring pain and are incredibly difficult for him. He has a long road ahead that will include intensive physical/occupational therapy to regain strength and mobility, neurological follow-ups to ensure this doesn't happen again or have lasting side effects, more imaging and tests, more life-saving medication, and tons of rest to be able to get back to his normal daily life.

Unfortunately, medical emergencies like this come with enormous financial strain, even with insurance. The bills from the ICU, helicopter transport, neurological care, ongoing therapies, and life-saving medications are overwhelming.

This is where we, his community, can help.

Mo is the kind of person who always gives but never asks. Now, it's our turn to support him.

Every little bit helps. And every donation will go toward:

Let’s rally around Mo so he can focus on healing, and one day soon, return to the work he’s so passionate about: mentoring young athletes and leading by example.

If you want to arrange any kind of meal, card, or just check in, feel free to message Mo’s fiancé, Riley Kocsis, to coordinate.

Thank you for supporting him during this time.

Signed,

Andrew Curtis

President of Valley Basketball Club