Parsippany Police PBA Raise $31K in Charity Boxathon

Earlier this month, Parsippany Police PBA held a Charity Boxing Fundraiser to raise funds for Parsippany resident Peyton Zitelli, who was only 20 months old when she was recently diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that forms in muscle tissue.

On Saturday Oct. 19, PBA 131 hosted Battle of the Badges to benefit the Prayers and Pledges for Peyton Foundation and raised $31,200.

Participating boxers were Parsippany PD’s Detective Dan Cicala and Patrolment Jermaine Pledger and Jimmy Michel along with 15 other fighters from the Belleville FD, Passaic County Sheriff’s Dept., Holmdel PD, West New York PD, Clifton PD, TGI Friday’s, Aces Boxing Club, U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.

In February, Peyton's friend and neighbor Matthew Santana, 8, led a fundraising and awareness event in which he and others raised more than $13,000 and shaved their heads to show solidarity with the little girl, who receives weekly chemotherapy treatments at a Philadelphia facility. Prayers and Pledges for Peyton was created due to Santana’s efforts.

Donations will help pay for travel expenses and medical bills.

There were bouts matched by age and weight and consisted of two- to three-minute rounds. Check out more photos at Brian McGee's website.