Former Mayor Thomas Menino announced yesterday that he is “suspending” his medical treatments for advanced, reportedly inoperable cancer.
He also halted the promotional tour for his new book, “Mayor for a New America.”
While Menino’s announcement also said he will “continue to fight this terrible disease,” it is being widely read as an end-of-life decision. In March, Menino revealed that he was suffering from “advanced” cancer and that surgery was not an option. He had been receiving chemotherapy in recent weeks.
Menino, 71, left office in January after serving an unprecedented 20 years as Boston mayor. Besides publishing his recent memoir, Menino has been leading a new urban studies center at Boston University.
Menino’s full statement, as published on his Facebook page, reads as follows:
“Today, I, along with my family, after talking with my medical team, have decided to suspend my book tour as well as my cancer treatments. While I continue to fight this terrible disease, I feel it is time for me to spend more time with my family, grandkids and friends. The medical team at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, along with those at the Dana-Farber, have been amazing in their care and treatment of me and the many other patients and families that suffer from cancer. I am hopeful and optimistic that one day the talented researchers, doctors and medical professionals in this city will find a cure for this awful disease. Angela and I are grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support and kindness shown to our family and ask that everyone keep us in their thoughts and prayers.”
Any letters or cards of well-wishing can be sent to: Thomas M. Menino, Initiative on Cities, 75 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215.