Los Angeles police officer and his wife are both diagnosed with stage 4 cancer within weeks of each other

Los Angeles, California — A Los Angeles police officer and his wife have both been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, sparking an outpouring of support for them and their two young children.

Laura Tomelloso was the first to be diagnosed with colon cancer. Weeks later, her husband Michael, an LAPD Central Traffic Division officer who has been with the force for more than two decades, was diagnosed with throat cancer.

“Knowing what kind of person he is and a family man, he was a Marine and he’s been a police officer for over 25 years and married to his wife for over 25 years,” LAPD officer Bryce Verna said in a statement. interview. “And actually – not one person but two people going through this – that’s pretty much the odds of the lottery.”

Carrie Cellini, a friend of the family, said Laura had started chemotherapy and “Mike was kind of holding back, kind of holding on strong. And then it just happened… it was getting worse. So he had to start.”

Friends and church family helped the couple with cooking and cleaning, taking them to treatments and doctor’s appointments.

As the Tomellosos focus on the fight for their lives, their Los Angeles Police Department family steps in to help with the financial battle, setting up a Blue Ribbon trust fund account to help with their care and sons.

One of their sons, Matthew, 10, has special needs and is homeschooled.

Verna said the hope is to “make it as easy as possible for them to function and worry about their treatment and their health, rather than the financial aspect”.

Anyone interested in donating to help the Tomelloso family can find information about the family’s Blue Ribbon fund here.

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