March 10, 2023 When Cambridge police received a call from a man with terminal cancer who said insurance didn’t cover his liquid diet, officers came to his aid with protein shakes and other help.
By Heather Morrison Source masslive.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A Massachusetts man told police he only has months to live and is on a liquid diet due to terminal cancer. But his insurance didn’t cover his needed protein shakes — and he was running out, he said.
Cambridge Police stepped in.
“… (O)ur officers wanted to fully support him during this time of need,” a release stated, adding they were not releasing the 50-year-old man’s name to protect his privacy.
Cambridge Police Department officers chipped in to buy a box of strawberry flavored protein shakes, since that was the man’s favorite. They also helped connect him to a local service provider to help him with his medical coverage.
“Furthermore, they started plans to connect [the man] with a CPD chaplain for spiritual guidance, as the outreach team wants to make sure [the man] doesn’t feel alone during such a time of need,” according to the release.
Cambridge Police said they’ve known the man for more than 15 years as he’s been involved with 80 police-related reports. He’s struggled with mental health, finding housing and more.
“This level of care and compassion is something our officers and staff take great pride in and reflects another way we are striving to best support our residents,” the police department said.