Ocean Gate PD Doing No-Shave November To Help Cop With Cancer

OCEAN GATE, NJ — Ocean Gate police will get a little hairier this November. That's intentional, and for a good cause.

The Ocean Gate Police Department will begin a No-Shave November fundraiser. This year, they're supporting Pemberton Borough Officer Carmelo Sorce, who was diagnosed last June with testicular cancer.

When Sorce isn't serving as an officer, the 25-year-old is drumming for his church's worship team. He had always been healthy and had no outstanding medical history. The diagnosis took everyone by surprise, according to a GoFundMe in his honor.

Five days after diagnosis, Sorce underwent surgery to remove a malignant mass, requiring him to take two months off work to properly heel. The surgery was successful in removing the tumor, and tumor-level markers in his blood count dropped in the two-month period.

But a recent CT scan showed the initial cancer spread to Sorce's lymphatic system, forming two areas of concern in his abdomen. He will need to undergo another surgery to remove lymph nodes in his abdomen.

This surgery will be significantly more invasive than the first operation. Sorce will need to remain in the hospital for up to a week and stay out of work for another six to eight weeks.

The officer has used all his allotted sick time. He'll be at home without an income as medical bills increase. The GoFundMe for Sorce has raised nearly $10,000 in two days.

Click here to donate.

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Berkeley Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.