Harrison police go pink for October, Breast Cancer Month
Harrison police are sporting a new hue for October.
Bright-pink uniform patches are intended to raise awareness for the battle against breast cancer, Chief Brian Turack said.
“People are already talking about it, so it’s working,” he said.
The department is participating in the Pink Patch Project, founded in 2013 by the Seal Beach Police Department in Southern California. The national campaign is designed to get the conversation started on ways to combat the illness, which accounts for about 30% of all new cancer cases in women each year.
The effort has grown to include 400 law enforcement agencies around the world.
Harrison Officer Colt Stebler is proud to sport the patch.
“My grandmother had breast cancer, and I think just about everyone knows someone who has,” Stebler said.
He said response to the project has been supportive.
“It’s a community-oriented program, and people seem really positive about it,” he said.
According to the American Cancer Society, there will be about 297,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in women in 2023.
Men are not immune. There is expected to be about 2,800 new cases in men this year.
Turack said Harrison is going all in on its participation.
“We ordered T-shirts, window stickers and keychains to sell,” he said.
The cost starts at $8 for a keychain and $10 for stickers and patches. T-shirts are available for $20.
Officers will have merchandise for sale during Highlands varsity home football games and will have pop-up events at Walmart and Community Market.
Donations will be accepted.
Proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Fund.
“It’s a nice thing for the community,” Turack said.
To date, the Pink Patch Project has brought in more than $1.6 million from the sale of patches and other commemorative items for breast cancer education, research and treatment.
More than 900,000 patches have been sold since the project’s first year.
To purchase items directly from the police department, call 724-224-3355.
Tawnya Panizzi is a TribLive reporter. She joined the Trib in 1997. She can be reached at tpanizzi@triblive.com.
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