After two months of growing mustaches and beards and maybe even a goatee or two, the Sparta Township Police Department has once again shown its dedication to making a difference.

The department recently donated $2,840 to Regional Cancer Care Charities following a successful campaign during “No Shave November & December” to raise awareness and funding.

The department’s generosity and assistance will help RCC Charities empower patients so they can concentrate on recovery, rather than daily living.

RCC Charities is dedicated to helping individuals with cancer pay for indirect living and nonmedical-related expenses not covered by Medicare or other health plans, including groceries or prepared meals; transportation to and from treatment facilities, such as public transportation and taxis; rent or mortgage payments; utility payments, such as water, sewer and electric bills; and child care.

RCC Charities is funded 100% by donations, mostly from individuals. It disperses donations to people with cancer or a serious blood condition through grants of up to $500 per application, with an annual cap of $2,500 per individual.

RCC Charities became a reality due to the efforts of Regional Cancer Care Associates’ (RCCA) clinicians and staff who witnessed firsthand the sometimes-overwhelming economic stress patients were experiencing. Many of those patients are regularly faced with having to decide between paying for medicine or putting food on the table.

These grants can go a long way toward a patient’s well-being. Rather than worrying about where their next meal will come from or, if the water will be shut off, they can, through the help of the grants, instead focus on treatment and recovery.

Also supporting the charity is NJ Advance Media, a regional division of Advance Local whose mission is to “strengthen and empower the communities we serve.” Well aligned with the company’s mission, NJ Advance Media has joined with RCC Charities as a community partner to help support its outreach and promote the difference RCC Charities can make in the lives of people fighting cancer.

IF YOU’D LIKE TO APPLY FOR A GRANT, go to the Regional Cancer Care Charities’ website at rcccharities.org.

IF YOU’D LIKE TO DONATE, go to rcccharities.org/how-to-donate to make a donation via credit card or send a check to Regional Cancer Care Charities, Inc., 25 Main St., Ste 601, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Please make checks payable to Regional Cancer Care Charities, Inc.