The 70-year-old told NBC Bay Area<\/a> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Following his diagnosis, Jones\u2019 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\u2019 oncologists.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n On Thursday, Jan. 8, Jones\u2019 wife, Helen, and daughter, Rachel, spoke at San Francisco City Hall and asked the city\u2019s Health Service Board to take action against Blue Shield. The city is responsible for negotiating its public servants\u2019 health insurance contracts, and the board oversees that relationship.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, 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,\u201d said Rachel, in tears. \u201cBlue Shield has decided that my father\u2019s life is not worth paying for.\u201d<\/p>\n The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now<\/a>!<\/p>\n Fire Department Chief Jeanine Nicholson, who is also a cancer survivor, spoke alongside Jones\u2019 family and said firefighters shouldn\u2019t have to \u201cbeg for their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not the first firefighter this has happened to, nor will it be the last if something doesn\u2019t change,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n The insurance company also told NBC Bay Area they value the relationship they have with the city and county of San Francisco. \u201cWe are committed to working closely with the Health Service Board to address any issues that are raised by members,\u201d the spokesperson told the outlet.<\/p>\n Without insurance coverage, treatment for Jones would cost about $50K out of pocket.<\/p>\n \u201cThat denial is causing serious harm to Ken\u2019s health and is now threatening his life,\u201d Helen, who is also a 14-year veteran of the San Francisco Fire Department, told the board.\u00a0 \u201cHe has painful, metastatic tumors in his bones, in his lymph nodes, and soft tissues, as well as tumors in his brain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe ran into burning buildings, inhaled toxic smoke, and put his life on the line again and again, so that others could survive,\u201d added Rachel.\u00a0 \u201cNow, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.\u00a0<\/p>\n The family has since created a GoFundMe<\/a> account to help pay for treatment. The fundraiser has since surpassed its goal, with Jones and his family expressing their appreciation.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you all for your generosity,\u201d they wrote in a Jan. 10 update. \u201cWe 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<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Go](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/631c03368b8083d0603e21f26ff25593.jpeg\"\/)
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