Officers will wear pink versions of their badge during October to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer. (Courtesy Photo Reading Police) 
READING — Chief David Clark is pleased to announce that the Reading Police Department will undertake a variety of visible initiatives this October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Throughout the month of October, officers will wear pink in order to raise awareness and show support for a cure for breast cancer. Uniformed officers and plainclothes officers and detectives will wear bright pink badges instead of their traditional ones during October, while all public safety dispatchers will wear special shirts to show their support.
Additionally, civilian staff will be equipped with special t-shirts bearing a pink version of the department’s patch.
The pink patch is available for sale as a fundraiser that will benefit the Tanner Ta Ta Foundation, which serves Middlesex County and has directly supported numerous Reading families.
“Breast cancer is a disease that has hit close to home for several of members of the Reading Police Department, which makes this effort that much more meaningful for all of us,” Chief Clark said. “We’re proud to support the Tanner Ta Ta Foundation and show our commitment to helping those affected by breast cancer.”
The foundation provides support to women and families experiencing a breast cancer diagnosis through a variety of avenues, including meals, gift cards, literature for children and husbands, pajamas, personal care items and more. The foundation also offers a healthy survivor program, which reimburses survivors $200 per year for costs related to gym memberships, fitness trackers, yoga classes, online fitness programming, massage therapy, and more.
“We’re extraordinarily grateful for the Reading Police Department’s continued support of our mission to ease the burden of breast cancer on women and families in our communities,” foundation Co-Founder Michelle Amari said.
“The department is looking forward to doing its part to raise awareness in our community about the fight against breast cancer,” Community Service Officer Kristen O’Shaughnessy said. “The pink badges and patches are extremely eye catching and I have no doubt they’ll help to get people thinking about all the ways a breast cancer diagnosis impacts people’s lives.”
Anyone who would like to purchase the pink patch should mail a check for $10, made out to the Tanner Ta Ta Foundation, to the Reading Police Department, 15 Union St., Reading, MA 01867 (attn: CSO Kristen O’Shaughnessy). Those requesting patches should also include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
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