READING — Chief David Clark is pleased to announce that the Reading Police Department will mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October through increased visibility around this important public health issue.
Uniformed officers and plainclothes officers and detectives will wear bright pink badges during October, rather than the traditional Department badge. Public safety dispatchers will wear special shirts to show their support. Civilian staff also will be wearing polo shirts displaying the pink badge.
Community members may purchase the special Department pink patch with a recommended donation of $10. All proceeds will go to the Tanner Ta Ta Foundation, which serves Middlesex County and has supported numerous Reading families since it was founded in 2009
“Breast cancer affects one in eight women in our country. Most people, including members of our Department, have been touched by this issue personally or know someone who has,” Chief Clark said. “As a Department it’s important that we bring light to this issue and to resources that are available in the community.”
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 Trodella said.
“We are excited to once again be participating in this effort, and thank those who have supported this amazing charity by buying a patch in previous years,” Community Service Officer Kristen O’Shaughnessy said. “We encourage community members to purchase a patch, and share this post on their social media channels to raise awareness even more.”
Checks may be made out to the Tanner Ta Ta Foundation, and sent 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.
