Harper College Police proud to wear pink patches

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Harper College Police Department will be participating in the Pink Patch Project, a collaborative project between the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association and public safety agencies throughout the U.S. The initiative is designed to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.

Harper’s police officers, community service officers and telecommunicators will wear vibrant pink versions of the police uniform patch on their regular uniforms from October 1-31. The goal is to stimulate conversations with students, employees and community members and encourage discussions about the importance of early detection and treatment in the ongoing fight against breast cancer.

“The Pink Patch Project is an incredible initiative, allowing public safety officials the opportunity each year to help raise awareness about breast cancer,” Harper Chief of Police John Lawson said. “Our department is proud to take part in the Pink Patch Project.” Both Lawson and his wife are cancer survivors. 

Several members of the Harper College Police Department display their pink patches.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., with approximately 1 in 8 American women diagnosed with the disease during her lifetime. Breast cancer can be effectively treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation and hormone therapies. Improved treatments, increased awareness and early detection have decreased deaths from the disease by 43% in the past few decades, although there is much more work to be done.

Those interested in donating $10 to the Pink Patch Project will receive a Harper College Police Department Pink Patch. All donations will support breast cancer research and can be made at the Harper College Business Office, Building A, Room A214 on Harper’s Palatine campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road.

Learn more about the Pink Patch Project.