ITHACA, N.Y. — You may spot some pink on the uniforms of Ithaca Police officers this month. About 20 officers, including K-9 Rex, are sporting pink badges to raise awareness for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This year marks the third year that officers from the Ithaca Police Department have taken part in the awareness-raising initiative. Each badge is also paired with a $50 donation by the officer, which will go toward a local cause.
Pink becomes a more common sight in October to raise awareness about breast cancer, which is one of the most common types of cancer in women worldwide. Men also get breast cancer, but it’s not nearly as common. One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, while the lifetime risk for men in the U.S. is about one in 1,000. Catching breast cancer early is important, which is why National Breast Cancer Awareness Month puts the spotlight on awareness and early detection methods.
Senior Deputy Chief Vincent Monticello said cancer touches everyone, and a lot of people at the IPD know someone who has been affected by cancer. Wearing the badges is a small thing officers can do, Monticello said, and is a “good way for us to make the public aware of this terrible disease.”
You can find more information about breast cancer, including information about early detection at the National Breast Cancer Foundation website. You can also find local resources at the Cancer Resource Center in Ithaca.