This year, the Madison PBA - Local 92 will again be participating in Movember to raise awareness for men's health in honor of one of our dispatchers and retired Chatham Township PD Sergeant, Vincent Zvolensky (aka VZ or Victor Zulu). VZ began his battle with prostate cancer in November of 2020 and we are happy to report he is doing well. Local 92 will also be raising money to help support a Morristown Police Sergeant who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has started his journey with chemotherapy. The Sergeant is a 24 year veteran with 7 year old twin boys. Thank you in advance for your support!!!!

For more from VZ on his journey read below:
“You’ve got cancer.” Three words we never wanted to hear. Three words that changed my life forever. This journey began back in November of 2020 when I had my review of blood work, which revealed a higher PSA test than the year before with the recommendation I follow up with a urologist. 

In late March of 2021, I underwent a biopsy of the prostate, not a fun experience. The anxiety of waiting for the results was immense. A few weeks later, I had a zoom call with my doctor. I could tell right away what was coming by his tone. “Vince, I’m sorry to tell you, you have cancer.” We forget that these folks have to tell their patients this news, and I’m sure it takes a toll on them too. I saved the audio of that call so I can play it back in 20 years and look back on how early testing and intervention hopefully extended my life. Sadly, many men avoid medical interventions; we’re stubborn, expendable. We have an attitude towards our health “it won’t affect me.”



On October 5th, I met my friend DiVinci. No, not the painter, the robot. This behemoth of a machine sat idle in the corner of the operating room I was wheeled into. An intimidating device for sure, a futuristic Star Wars looking thing. After a few laughs with the team, I was out. Five hours later back in recovery, I had 6 holes in my abdomen. My surgeon arrived and advised me that the surgery went well and he believed the cancer was contained, but we had to wait for the pathology results in a week to confirm. That call came and we received the news all of us cancer patients want to hear. “No spread” to surrounding tissues/organs. 

A simple blood test. That’s all it took. Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. The American Cancer Society’s estimates for prostate cancer in the United States for 2021 are:

About 250,000 new cases of prostate cancer.

About 34,000 deaths from prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer.

About 1 man in 41 will die of prostate cancer.

Despite similar numbers to breast cancer, prostate cancer receives less funding for research for a cure. As a male cancer survivor, I encourage all of my male friends to get tested yearly for this disease. My family, friends and co-workers at MPD and CTPD have been remarkable and helped me get through this and I am blessed. Please consider donating to this worthy cause as we approach “No-Shave” November. No-Shave November is a month-long journey during which participants forgo shaving and grooming in order to evoke conversation and raise cancer awareness. Learn more about how you can get involved and start getting hairy!