Ray Bowen of Cleveland has long been recognized for his years of dedicated service in law enforcement. From his time as a deputy constable in Liberty County to his recent role with the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office, Bowen has spent decades protecting and serving his community. Now, the longtime officer faces his toughest fight yet — a battle against both a brain tumor and kidney cancer — all while enduring a lapse in medical insurance.
Diagnosed with Clear Cell Carcinoma, Bowen recently underwent a craniotomy to remove most of the brain tumor. This month, he begins immunotherapy to target the cancer in his kidneys, which has proven resistant to standard treatments. These aggressive and costly medical interventions have placed a growing emotional and financial strain on Bowen and his wife, Sandy.
After leaving the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office, Bowen had gained employment with the Harris County Pct. 1 Constable’s Office. This was prior to his diagnosis. He had not yet reached the one-year employment requirement needed to qualify for the agency’s medical benefits program. As a result, he has faced this medical crisis without health insurance coverage.
To support the couple, friends and family are organizing a benefit event on Saturday, June 14, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Cleveland Senior Citizens Center, located at 220 Peach Street. Barbecue plate lunches will be sold. These meals include a drink, barbecue sandwich, chips, and dessert.
The event will also feature silent and live auctions with items including a Blackstone grill, fire pit, Stihl chainsaw, custom wooden tables, firearms, picnic table, and more. As a special part of the live auction, attendees will have a chance to win two tickets to an upcoming Houston Astros game for Saturday, July 12, with the game starting at 6:35 p.m. The game will be played between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers.
Throughout the event, a bounce house will be available for children, and a live band will provide entertainment.
Bowen expressed his gratitude for the community’s support, saying, “This fundraiser means more than words can say. It’s helping us cover the overwhelming medical bills and giving us a bit of relief while I’m unable to work. It’s hard being the one who’s always served others — and now finding myself on the other side, needing help. Please come out and support the thin blue line.”
He also extended heartfelt thanks to the local businesses and individuals who have stepped up to help, including 105 Speedway, McNorton’s Dewatering Company, Loren’s Lumber, Reyes Restaurant, El Burrito Restaurant, Pueblo Viejo, Austin Bank, Trinity Armory, M&D Supply Ace Hardware, Freddy’s Automotive, The Wagon Wheel, S.S. Tex Car and Window Tint, Grand Oaks Reserve Golf Course, Cactus Boutique, Rebecca Lynn Photography, Crowns of Glory Hair Studio, and a whole host of close friends and family members who are working behind the scenes to make the event possible.
I’m not trying to sound insensitive or anything but there is no one year wait time to enroll in the Harris County insurance plan. There is an open enrollment period and you can only make changes during that time, but you are eligible for insurance upon hire. There used to be a three month wait time but that is no longer the case.
Then what could be the reasons why he doesn’t have insurance?
Not just in this case, but in general, if you are eligible for coverage at the new job and CHOOSE not to sign up, THEN you have to wait until the next open enrollment period to sign up again.
The article is written with a statement that seems to be missing the facts to make it appear a certain way.
I’m sure that’s not the case. Having been employed for less than 1yr would make him ineligible for FMLA and therefore ineligible for protection of his job and benefits. (Not a discretionary decision I’m sure but one of policy and consistency to avoid discrimination) so termination due to absence for treatment resulted in loss of coverage if COBRA wasn’t elected/affordable
Prayers for this brave peace officer…to the family look into Ivermectin cancer treatment maybe contact Hotze Wellness or someplace like that. https://amg-news.com/exposed-banned-drugs-ivermectin-fenbendazole-and-mebendazole-obliterate-cancer-peer-reviewed-study-published-in-2024-big-pharma-in-full-panic-mode-video/
What about all the other people that don’t have insurance My opinion is you had the option and you opted out. No hand outs here for being a idiot. You aren’t alone, good luck, the bounce house should fix it.