Officers from the Bordentown Township and Bordentown City Police Departments in New Jersey are continuing their annual fall tradition by embracing a scruffier appearance for a noble cause during this year’s No Shave November.
The tradition, now in its sixth straight year, aims to raise funds for a local resident or family facing challenging circumstances, while giving officers the rare chance to grow a beard on the job.
This time around, the dedicated officers are rallying behind Ayden Manning, a resilient 4th grader at Peter Muschal Elementary School.
Ayden is not only a great Pokémon player, but is a young warrior facing cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, a rare genetic brain disease. He was diagnosed with the illness last April.
Cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy triggers inflammation in the brain’s white matter, stemming from an abnormal buildup of fatty acids due to an X chromosome mutation.
Sadly, there is no cure for this condition, and the only potential halt to its progression lies in a successful bone marrow transfer before symptoms manifest. The disease’s rapid advancement typically begins with vision loss, followed by hearing impairment, affecting motor control and executive function, ultimately leading to a life expectancy of just three years.
Since Ayden’s diagnosis, his family has sought expertise from renowned transfer teams at institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, M Health Fairview in Minneapolis and even pursued treatment in Paris.
Despite their tireless efforts, obtaining a bone marrow match proved immensely challenging. Given Ayden’s advanced disease stage, even a successful transfer would offer only a temporary reprieve, with symptoms persisting over the subsequent year, leaving him without vision and hearing as the best-case scenario.
In light of these challenges, Ayden’s parents have bravely opted to prioritize his present happiness and well-being.
Shawntell, Ayden’s mother, expressed this difficult decision on a GoFundMe account.
“We want to let him live happily and with quality in the present, so are preparing to do just that. This GoFundMe will support Ayden’s life experiences in the immediate future and subsequent care as his symptoms progress over time.”
Moved by Ayden’s story, officers from both departments have opened their hearts and wallets, making donations to participate in No Shave November.
The funds collected will contribute to creating meaningful and memorable experiences for Ayden and his twin sister, Aya, as they cherish precious moments together as a family.
Additionally, female officers have joined the cause, making donations to paint their nails in any color of their choosing.
The community can anticipate further collaborative efforts between the police departments and local restaurants for upcoming fundraisers dedicated to supporting Ayden and his family.
