The Township of North Bergen concluded their annual “No Shave November” to raise awareness and funds for colorectal cancer treatment research with a “shave-off” yesterday morning.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Several police officers attended the “shave-off” at the event at Eye Vision Center at 7733 Bergenline Ave.
The North Bergen Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) donated $5,200 with a gigantic check presented by Mayor Nick Sacco, Police Chief Robert Farley Jr., and Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual. Pascual noted that many local officers participated.
“Thank you for all you do for this cause,” he said to Eye Vision Center Co-owner Bob Ceragno.
A few officers who grew beards for No Shave November then received a fresh trim by local volunteers. Pascual and Ceragno then had their November beards shaved at the same time.
Ceragno said they have raised nearly $100,000 this year for colorectal cancer treatment research efforts from the community.
He explained he is a survivor of colorectal cancer, which has led them to help raise money for the last nine years for the cause as part of No Shave November.
“People can’t be dying because of machismo or embarrassment of going to the doctor. Thankfully, the mayor took it on,” Ceragno said of the course.
Marlene Ceragno, Bob’s wife, was also grateful for Sacco’s efforts that had helped spread awareness over the years. Bob Ceragno said their awareness efforts over the years have led to many men telling him that, as a result, they had preventative screenings.
Marlene Ceragno also noted that colorectal cancer is the leading cause of death among men between 25 and 40 and encouraged everyone to get colonoscopies for cancer screenings.
