Cambridge PD Pays For Cancer Patient's Meals After Insurance Declines

CAMBRIDGE, MA — After a local man diagnosed with terminal cancer and restricted to a liquid diet was refused medical coverage for his life-sustaining protein shakes, Cambridge Police stepped up to lend a hand, the department shared in a post Thursday.

Police had become well-acquainted with the man, who they call Joe, over more than 15 years as there have been over 80 police-related reports involving him, the department said. But while walking their Central Square route last week, officers stopped for a simple human-to-human chat with Joe, who told police that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

"Restricted to a liquid diet, Joe notified officers that his medical coverage for his protein shakes had been recently denied and he did not have any more shakes at his residence," officers explained in the post. A local service provider began working on reinstating his medical coverage, while Cambridge Police opted to do their part to support their fellow community member, purchasing a box of protein shakes ("strawberry flavored—his favorite") for delivery.

Officers also started plans to connect Joe with a Cambridge Police chaplain for spiritual guidance "as the outreach team wants to make sure Joe doesn’t feel alone during such a time of need," officials said.

"The harsh reality of policing is that we often encounter people in their most difficult moments," Cambridge Police wrote. "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."