SWAMPSCOTT — The community has raised almost $18,000 for police officer Thomas Lucas to spend time with his family after doctors diagnosed him with throat cancer and told him he had a few months to live.
In December 2021, Lucas, a more than 20-year Swampscott Police officer and father of two, was diagnosed with throat cancer. After eight months of chemotherapy, then radiation treatment at Mass General in Danvers, Lucas spent almost 10 hours on a Mass Eye and Ear Hospital operating table in September 2022.
Doctors told Lucas that the surgery was successful and that his cancer was in full remission, but after a CT scan in June he was told he had only a few months left to live.
Despite the odds, Lucas has decided to continue chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments at Mass General Danvers. Hoping to enjoy the rest of his life with his two sons, Kyle, 18, and Dylan, 14, Lucas created a GoFundMe account to raise money for his hospital bills and finance quality time with his children.
“I want to live the rest of my life to the fullest with my children,” Lucas said. “I have pain daily but I fight through it… I haven’t given up the fight and never will.”
As of 4 p.m. Monday, 163 people have collectively raised $17,946 for Lucas, with individual donations ranging from $20 to $1,000. Lucas said he has already traveled to Sedona, Ariz. and North Conway, N.H. with his sons. He said he hopes to soon take his sons to his hometown of Hollywood, Fla.
After his surgery, Lucas returned to work for a few months before his second diagnosis required him to promptly leave again.
“My surgeon told me that I shouldn’t be working again or I would risk being in a wheelchair,” Lucas said. “So I abruptly left the force after (more than) 20 years.”
Swampscott Police Sgt. Jay Locke described Lucas as a positive, hardworking, and kind officer who always put himself last.
“Luke is a selfless individual to a fault. He’ll go out of his way to make sure someone has their needs met before taking care of his own,” Locke said. “He always puts a smile on our faces. He’s one of those guys where you can feel his energy in a room — he’s a special guy and the Town of Swampscott is better because of his dedicated service.”
Those who would like to support Lucas can donate on his GoFundMe at https://tinyurl.com/2tw6sev9.
“I appreciate all of your help and support,” Lucas said. “Never surrender and never give up. Thank you and God bless America.”
