by Staff Reports
Don’t blink — you really are seeing a pink-wrapped police car driving around town. And yes, that police officer’s uniform has a pink patch on the sleeve.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is estimated that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. The disease can have a profound impact on patients and their families and loved ones.
The Prescott Police Department began the Pink Patch effort last year. Prescott Police Deputy Chief Amy Bonney said, “We began this effort in 2018 with the goal of raising money for Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) Breast Care Center and for the families of two of our officers whose wives had been diagnosed with breast cancer within months of one another.
“It was very personal to us. And, we are happy that they are both doing well! However, we know that there are countless others in our community who are still fighting and we want them to know they aren’t fighting alone. This is one small thing we can do to help them feel supported, encouraged and loved.”
Not only will police personnel be wearing pink patches, the patches will be available for sale to the public at a variety of locations, Bonney said.
- Prescott Police Department
- Both YRMC Campus gift shops
- The Breast Care Center in Prescott Valley
In addition, Prescott Police will be doing several pop-up events around town.
Prescott Police Chief Debora Black said this year’s patches are different.
“This year, we have redesigned the patches — they will be different each year so people can collect or trade them. We will be selling them throughout the month of October. The patches will be $5 each. … The funds this year will be going to the Breast Care Center at YRMC. We are excited to be supporting them once again in their efforts to not only treat breast cancer, but to detect it early and provide ongoing support for breast cancer patients, survivors and their families.
In 2018, the Prescott Police Department raised approximately $8,000 to fight breast cancer.
