News & Stories

Members of the Camden County Police Department’s FOP Lodge 218 and CCPD commanders presented a check to The Cooper Foundation for cancer research at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. The donation honors Officer Matthew Sviben, a member of the department who lost his life to colorectal cancer in 2021.

For the third year in a row to continue the tradition, members of the CCPD donated at least $30 each to take part in No Shave November. Their generosity means that Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 218, which represents Camden County PD officers, is able to donate $6,500 toward cancer research. 

“We’re proud to be able to honor Officer Sviben, who was taken from us far too soon, and equally proud that the funds our officers have raised in his name stay right here in the City of Camden to help researchers at MD Anderson at Cooper work on finding new treatments and hopefully a cure for this terrible disease,” said CCPD Chief Gabriel Rodriguez. 

“The Cooper Foundation is honored that Officer Sviben’s family have again donated the proceeds from No Shave November to MD Anderson at Cooper. While his life was cut short, these funds will be used to advance colon cancer research in the hope that we can conquer this disease,” said Philip A. Norcross, Esq., chairman of The Cooper Foundation Board.

“We value our ongoing partnership with the CCPD and our shared commitment to the health of our community. We thank Police Chief Rodriguez, the entire Camden County Police Department, and especially the Sviben family, for giving so kindly. The memory of Officer Sviben will live on through this donation.”