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Bergen PBA Toy Drive Brings Joy To Young Cancer Patients, Tears To Officers

HACKENSACK, N.J. — Santa Claus held back tears as he leveled himself with a 19-year-old cancer patient hooked up to a net of IV tubes at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in Hackensack University Medical Center.

Bergen County Police Officers bring gifts into an already-packed room.

Bergen County Police Officers bring gifts into an already-packed room.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Former Closter Police Sgt. Don Nicoletti leads Harrington Park Officer Jacob Miller and Oradell Officer Rich Liguori into the gift-holding room at HUMC.

Former Closter Police Sgt. Don Nicoletti leads Harrington Park Officer Jacob Miller and Oradell Officer Rich Liguori into the gift-holding room at HUMC.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Englewood Cliffs Police Officer Marc Krapels pushes a bin full of toys through the HUMC halls.

Englewood Cliffs Police Officer Marc Krapels pushes a bin full of toys through the HUMC halls.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Bergen County PBA members and HUMC officials gather for a picture before distributing gifts.

Bergen County PBA members and HUMC officials gather for a picture before distributing gifts.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Closter Police Officer Louie Ruiz as Santa and Buddy the Elf.

Closter Police Officer Louie Ruiz as Santa and Buddy the Elf.

Photo Credit: Jacob Miller
A U-Haul truck and police bus await unloading at HUMC.

A U-Haul truck and police bus await unloading at HUMC.

Photo Credit: Jacob Miller

The patient sat up and delightedly began Snapchatting after St. Nick -- aka Closter Police Officer Louie Ruiz -- gave him a new pair of Beats by Dre.

Nearby, several fellow officers, actor Dominic Chianese and a visitor watched silently.

The exchange was one of many that occurred in rooms along the pediatric oncology ward during Wednesday's 27th annual Bergen County PBA Toy Drive for ill and needy youngsters.

“We go through a lot as police officers," Oradell Officer Rich Liguori told Daily Voice. "But coming here, seeing first-hand what these kids are going through, puts everything into perspective.

“What they’re fighting and what they’re going through doesn’t even compare to what we go through on a daily basis.”

Lynn Hoffman, executive director of Tomorrow Children’s Fund, said the PBA’s annual visit “changes the whole atmosphere of the hospital.”

Earlier, flashing police lights and sirens provided the soundtrack to what became a 10-mile parade led by the Paramus Police Department’s Motorcycle Unit from the Closter firehouse.

There, a legion of volunteers and military members from the Teaneck Armory inspected, sorted and loaded thousands of toys collected by a record 47 law enforcement agencies into vehicles bound for the hospital, among other destinations (SEE: Bergen County PBA Toy Drive Draws Record Number Of Volunteers).

Once at HUMC, officers and hospital volunteers united to unload the U-Haul truck and buses filled with presents large and small.

Despite smiles and high-fives, the officers knew that in minutes they’d be strapping on pale, blue hospital masks and making their way to experiences they'd never forget.

The elevator ride to the fifth floor felt like deja vu for Harrington Park Police Officer Jacob Miller, whose sister was treated for Hodgkins lymphoma at HUMC — where she was working as a kitchen employee when she was diagnosed.

“We’re not doing it for ourselves. We’re doing this for the kids — for the families,” said Miller, who spent weeks at a time by his sister’s side in the hospital when she was diagnosed in 2001 and when she relapsed 2004.

Even though she's been in remission for nearly a decade — and has made him an uncle — giving back to HUMC is something that Miller said he will do as long as he's able.

“We take care of people,” he said, pointing to his brethren in blue. “Whether it’s at work or for all of us who are off duty, it’s what we enjoy — helping.”

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