Michael and Laura Tomelloso are the parents of two young boys, 14-year-old Mike Jr., and 10-year-old Matthew who has special needs.
Tragedy struck a family not once but twice in a matter of months. The parents of two young boys Michael and Laura Tomelloso learned they both have stage 4 cancer. Laura Tomelloso, a retired Department of Justice officer, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer after undergoing a colonoscopy in February 2022 and her 49-year-old husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer a few months later. Laura's colon cancer metastasized into ovarian cancer."It's devastating, and for [Laura] — going through that to find out your spouse is also going to be dealing with that," Carrie Cellini, a family friend, told NBC Los Angeles.
LAPD Central Motor Ofcr Michael Tomelloso & Wife Need HELP! Both are diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer & need support as they fight this battle for their children, see photos. @lapdhq @KCBSKCALDesk @nbcLA @KTLAnewsdesk @KTLAMorningNews @nidia_b @abc7 @FOXLA @latimes @LaOpinionLA pic.twitter.com/KmFHpugMLP
— LAPDCTD (@LAPDCTD24) November 21, 2022
The Tomellosos are the parents of two young boys, 14-year-old Mike Jr., and 10-year-old Matthew who has special needs and is homeschooled. The family has had a rough time recently including the time Matthew was mauled by the neighbor’s dog and had significant facial injuries requiring plastic surgery. Right now that's being put on the backburner Sgt. Jeanna Quinones, with LAPD’s Central Traffic Division, told KTLA. The Los Angeles Police Department family is stepping in to help with the financial issues. “Now that he’s also unable to work, it’s created just a lot of hardship,” Sgt. Jeanna Quinones. “It hits me close to the heart,” Det. Juan Campos, with LAPD’s Central Traffic Division, said. “So, I want to do everything possible to help the Tomelloso family get through this battle and win.” “I can’t imagine two parents being down, trying to take care of two children,” Cellini added to the outlet. “It’s been hard. They’re both down. So, neither of them can really do anything,” the family friend explained.
LAPD motor officer Michael Tomelloso and his wife, Laura, were diagnosed with stage four cancer just weeks apart, and now colleagues, friends and family are doing what they can to help the family of four.https://t.co/OMe5mOZi1f
— KTLA (@KTLA) November 22, 2022
Those who know the family are hoping to help in any way they can. "Knowing what type of person he is and a family man, he was a Marine and he's been a police officer for over 25 years and been married over 25 years to his wife," LAPD Officer Bryce Verna told KABC. "And to actually — not one person but two people go through that — it's pretty much lottery odds." Friends and their church family have come together to help with household work like cooking and cleaning and taking them for their treatments. Verna said everyone is trying to pitch in to "make it as easy as possible for them to function and worry about their treatment and their health, rather than the money aspect of it."
LAPD set up a Blue Ribbon Trust Fund to help with the family's growing medical expenses. If you would like to contribute, go here.
LAPD Officer, Wife Receive Cancer Diagnoses Around the Same Time https://t.co/uToWoq5CPe
— LAPDCTD (@LAPDCTD24) November 22, 2022
References:
https://abc7.com/lapd-police-officer-cancer-stage-4/12481370/
Cover Image Source: LAPD
