Send your prayers to Bill Cody and his family.
Bill Cody, a Country Radio Hall of Famer, longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer and one of the most beloved voices in country radio history, was recently admitted to the ICU due to heart and kidney failure three weeks ago.
According to his daughter, Hannah, Cody has been on a “roller coaster” of emotions, as well as tests, dialysis, medications and steps both forwards and backwards throughout the weeks.
Though the Country Radio Hall of Famer passed all tests to receive a double transplant of both his heart and kidney, something Hannah described as the only option for his survival, Cody’s health has taken a downward spiral over the weekend.
On Saturday night, his heart strength and ability to pump blood were severely diminished, causing the doctors to intubate him and put him on an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), which is an advanced artificial life support that continuously pumps blood outside the body and adds oxygen to the lungs.
In an Instagram post from WSM Radio, which is the home of the Grand Ole Opry, Hannah would provide a list of prayers for her father as well as a further explanation of what the next 48 hours hold.
Here, she’d explain that being on an ECMO comes with its own set of risks, including a stroke, blood clots and possible infections. Additionally, she’d explain that, despite the risks, the following days on the ECMO are the most vital in order for him to qualify for said heart and kidney transplants. She’d also note that the transplant team will meet with him on Tuesday, June 2nd, and will decide if he’s a candidate for the transplant.
Hannah would finish the post on WSM Radio by calling everyone in the community to pray for a miracle for Bill:
“We need a miracle and we know God is able. Please, if you’re able, stop and pray for these things. Our family can’t thank you enough. We love you all.”
Unsurprisingly, an outpouring of support came for Bill, Hannah and the rest of the Cody family throughout the country music community in the comments, ranging from the likes of Dierks Bentley and Jake Owen to Mark Wills and Sunny Sweeney.
“We love you Bill and are praying for you pal.” – Dierks Bentley
“Praying” -Jake Owen
“Oh my goodness. Just seeing this and sending all my love and prayers his way!” – Sierra Hull
“Lord Jesus, be with Bill and his family right now. Praying! – Matthew West
“Praying so hard for Bill Cody and his family and the entire WSM Radio family. We love you Bill.” – The War And Treaty
“Lifting Bill up in our prayers“ – Mark Wills
“Praying“ – Chris Janson
“Oh man, praying. Love Bill and his family so much” – Charlie Worsham
“Prayers to you. All around. For healing and strength“ – Sunny Sweeney
As such an important piece of country music history, Bill Cody’s impact in radio simply can not be understated. It’s going to be an indescribably terrifying next 24 hours for the Cody family, and they need your support right now. Here’s to praying that he can get the organs he needs and makes a full recovery.
