Steinberg, 23, was recently was diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma cancer. A fundraiser has been created by the Verona PBA to assist him and his family with any expenses. As of Tuesday, July 11, more than $73,500 has been raised.
Steinberg went to the emergency room in May suffering from mild back pain and a fever. CT scans revealed multiple masses in his abdominal cavity and he was eventually diagnosed with Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.
Before becoming a police officer, Steinberg was an EMT, working for the Verona Rescue Squad and the Beach Haven First Aid Squad. He joined the Essex County Sheriff's Office after graduating from Rutgers.
"Mark’s kindness, care, compassion, thoughtfulness, and superb emergency medical skills are all hallmarks of his tireless devotion to helping others," said the fundraiser organizers. "In every way, Mark embodies the idea of 'service before self.'"
Steinberg, who lost his father to brain cancer when he was five years old, is expected to undergo treatment for more than a year, according to the fundraiser.
"He is a wonderful young man who has a huge battle to fight and he deserves to win the battle," wrote one donor. "He wants to continue to help people. He is rare and we really need people like him in this world."
To view the fundraiser, click here.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Elizabeth and receive free news updates.