NJ police officers growing beards in support of girl with cancer

WYCKOFF, New Jersey (WABC) -- A New Jersey police department has a 'growing' show of support for a little girl battling cancer, ditching their razors in an effort to help raise awareness for pediatric cancer.

Wyckoff police officers are unified in their duty to protect and serve, and also in their effort to grow their "Beards for Becca".

8-year-old Becca is raising money to help other kids like her who are facing down cancer.

"She goes to the hospital once a month now, she's in a maintenance phase of treatment so we are in the home stretch," said Becca's mother Sherri Salmins.

Becca's quite aware that the beards are helping her reach her goal of $100,000 in 100 days. The officers raised money, and their PBA chapter is matching.

"She wants to achieve this before November 13th, which is her rainbow day as they call it, her last day of chemotherapy," said Officer Kevin Pinches of PBA Local 261.

"I have children now so it its home. I don't know what her parents are going through, how they deal with the pain. But it's nice to see Becca's doing something to help other kids she's met along the way," said Wyckoff Police Officer Ryan Tenney.

The mission gets sweeter. Becca's in a position to raise way more than her goal, thanks to the officers and a promise from a well-known football superstar, the Giants Eli Manning, who is going to match up to $100,000.

They hope the money will help other kids reach where Becca is now, getting ready for her very last round of treatment.

"We've got 25 days left of chemo, so it's been a long run," her mom said.

After the fundraiser, the guys will shave their beards and are planning to grow mustaches in November for the fight against prostate cancer.