Each November, since 2016, the members of the Lacey Township Police Department have broken protocol for a good cause. We have, in a joint effort with members of our Township’s Emergency Services, participated in the national “No-Shave November” campaign. During our five years, we have successfully raised over $26,000. These funds were disseminated through various cancer charities including, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Fight Colorectal Cancer, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as directed by the No-Shave November campaign. This year, the members of the Lacey Township Police Department will once again be breaking protocol in the No Shave way, to continue our mission.
Last year, we dedicated the 2020 No Shave November Campaign to the widely respected Chief John Szafranski III of the Lanoka Harbor Volunteer Fire Department, who sadly lost his courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer. This year, we would like to recognize a member of our own: Lacey Police Dispatcher Kasmira “Kasey” Kanka.
While Kasey has been employed with the Lacey Township Police Department since October of 2015, her battle with cancer far exceeds her time as a Police Dispatcher. At just 17 years old, Kasey was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, requiring her to not only undergo multiple surgeries, but also begin an excessive amount of medication. As a direct result of this, Kasey ultimately developed Stage 4 Melanoma Cancer. From there, she received devastating news that the cancer had reached her lymph nodes, further requiring extensive surgery to remove it. This only worsened her previous medical diagnosis, essentially leaving Kasey with a decision of which battle she wished to fight. Kasey was quietly maintaining this battle while continuing her dispatching services to Lacey Township and our officers.
Kasey is a pleasure to work with, and her contagious positivity during such a trying time is often noted. We are proud to call her a member of our Lacey Police/PBA Family, and continue to support her during her courageous battle. While your donation will directly benefit the No Shave November Campaign, Lacey Township PBA #238 will be matching our participating member’s personal donations for Kasey. We have also invited all of our volunteer organizations to join forces with the police department and PBA to participate in this local campaign.
On October 28, 2021 the “Before” photograph was taken, which included Kasey, and some of our participants. At the conclusion of this event (November 30th, 2021) an “After” photograph will be taken and posted on our website.”
Donations on behalf of the police officers and our local emergency services personnel should be made directly to No-Shave.org under the Lacey Township Challenge (see below links).
https://no-shave.org/team/lacey-pd
https://no-shave.org/team/lacey-township-volunteers-fireems-services/
If anyone has any questions in regard to this initiative you may contact either Sergeant George Resetar at 609-693-6636 ext. 2590, or Officer Michael Hutman at 609-693-6636 ext. 2527.