Elderly cancer patient calls 911 because he has no food
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- When 81-year-old Clarence Blackmon returned home Tuesday after spending months in the hospital for cancer treatments and rehab, his refrigerator was empty.
UPDATE: Donations, food pour in for veteran
He had nothing to eat and no way to get to the store. Hungry and desperate, he called 911. He asked the operator if someone could go to the store for him and buy some groceries.
He told the operator whatever she could do would help.
"I can't do anything. I can't go anywhere. I can't get out of my damn chair," Blackmon said in his 911 call.
Operator Marilyn Hinson took the call and told Blackmon they would take him some groceries.
"He was hungry," Hinson said. "I've been hungry. A lot of people can't say that, but I can, and I can't stand for anyone to be hungry."
Blackmon told Hinson that all he wanted was a head of cabbage, some cans of beans and beets, some popcorn, tomato juice, and soft drinks.
With her supervisor's permission, Hinson went to the grocery store and bought groceries. Then, with the help of Fayetteville police officers, she delivered the food in person to Blackmon.
She made Blackmon a ham sandwich, which he called a feast. She also made him a couple more sandwiches for later on.
Blackmon called it a blessing.
"It was like a little miracle ringing in my ear," Blackmon said. "I thought, 'Jesus, you answered those prayers!'"
Blackmon said he will soon have a home health nurse who will check on him twice a week. For now, thanks to a guardian angel, he won't go to bed hungry.
If you'd like to help, contact the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 433-1529.
