NEED TO KNOW
In March 2025, Ken Jones was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, which he believes is a result of spending 17 years working as a firefighter
Jones’s insurance company denied coverage for the treatment, as well as denied an appeal filed by his doctors
His family is now pleading for coverage for the life-saving treatment, which would cost about $50K out of pocket
A veteran firefighter is forced to raise money for his stage 4 lung cancer battle after he claims he was denied insurance coverage for treatment.
In March 2025, Ken Jones, a retired San Francisco firefighter who spent 17 years working for the city, was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer.
The 70-year-old told NBC Bay Area that he believes his cancer was a result of years on the job. Firefighters have an increased risk of lung cancer, including adenocarcinoma, due to inhaling carcinogens like smoke and other toxins from burning materials, according to the American Lung Association.
Following his diagnosis, Jones’ doctors informed him that he requires a specific course of treatment that includes chemotherapy and immunotherapy. However, his insurance provider, Blue Shield of California, reportedly denied coverage, as well as an appeal filed by Jones’ oncologists.
In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Blue Shield declined to comment on the denial of coverage, citing patient privacy laws. However, they provided the criteria used to determine authorization and encouraged members to reach out with any concerns about their coverage.
On Thursday, Jan. 8, Jones’ wife, Helen, and daughter, Rachel, spoke at San Francisco City Hall and asked the city’s Health Service Board to take action against Blue Shield. The city is responsible for negotiating its public servants’ health insurance contracts, and the board oversees that relationship.
“Today, I am forced to stand here and beg because an insurance company decided that profits matter more than the life of a man who spent his career protecting this city,” said Rachel, in tears. “Blue Shield has decided that my father’s life is not worth paying for.”
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Fire Department Chief Jeanine Nicholson, who is also a cancer survivor, spoke alongside Jones’ family and said firefighters shouldn’t have to “beg for their lives.”
“This is not the first firefighter this has happened to, nor will it be the last if something doesn’t change,” she added.
The insurance company also told NBC Bay Area they value the relationship they have with the city and county of San Francisco. “We are committed to working closely with the Health Service Board to address any issues that are raised by members,” the spokesperson told the outlet.
Without insurance coverage, treatment for Jones would cost about $50K out of pocket.
“That denial is causing serious harm to Ken’s health and is now threatening his life,” Helen, who is also a 14-year veteran of the San Francisco Fire Department, told the board. “He has painful, metastatic tumors in his bones, in his lymph nodes, and soft tissues, as well as tumors in his brain.”
“He ran into burning buildings, inhaled toxic smoke, and put his life on the line again and again, so that others could survive,” added Rachel. “Now, when he needs the help the most, the insurance company provided by this city through Blue Shield is denying him the medication his doctors say is necessary to keep him alive.”
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The family has since created a GoFundMe account to help pay for treatment. The fundraiser has since surpassed its goal, with Jones and his family expressing their appreciation.
“Thank you all for your generosity,” they wrote in a Jan. 10 update. “We have reached our fundraising goal. We are honored and grateful for your interest and support. We encourage donations to the San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Fund.”
Read the original article on People