By Sophia Harris
News Editor
University Police will be sporting pink patches throughout the month of October to promote the detection of breast cancer for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The public awareness “Pink Patch” campaign was started by the Seal Beach Police Department in Southern California in 2013, according to the Pink Patch website.
This campaign was created to spread awareness to the community about breast cancer and to raise money for cancer research and treatment, according to the Pink Patch website.
University Police, along with public safety agencies from around the country, have adopted this campaign.
University Police wear the patches as a way to encourage conversations with the community about breast cancer.
If the community sees officers wearing the patches, the goal is for them to purchase the patch. All of the proceeds from the sale go to the Susan G. Komen New England nonprofit for cancer research and treatment.
Patches are being sold at the Follett campus store for $10.
Susan G. Komen nonprofit funds breast cancer research while also providing support and resources to people with breast cancer or who are in remission.
“Our mission is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs of our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer,” according to the Susan G. Komen website.
The Susan G. Komen nonprofit is funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit, according to its website.
Framingham State adopted this campaign in 2017 and since then, the campaign has raised “well over $500,” according to Lieutenant Martin Laughlin who runs the campaign alongside Sergeant Harry Singh.
Laughlin started the campaign and Singh will take it over in the future, Laughlin said.
So far this year, approximately 10 to 15 patches have been sold, he said.
Laughlin said his intent with the project is “to bring awareness of the awful disease and to raise money for those who need it.
“It’s an incredible project,” he added.
Laughlin said he hopes the campaign will “raise as much money as we possibly can to help those who are in need.”
He added his hope is to continue this campaign “as long as we possibly can.”
Laughlin said the campaign is receiving “good support” from the University as well as all of the officers in the department.
Jade Martinez, a sophomore biotechnology major, said she is “glad that FSU is taking part in the campaign.
“It’s all for a really good cause,” she said.
Robert Perruzzi, a sophomore undecided major, said it is “great” that Framingham State is involved with fundraising, especially for an important cause like breast cancer.
He said, “The more we get involved, the more we get done.”
Salome Mesa, a freshman biology major, said, “It's important that we're involved.
“I feel like a lot of people don't understand what people have to go through, and bringing awareness to certain things really helps the community,” she said.
Shannon Dignard, a freshman early childhood education major, said she was unfamiliar with the campaign.
She said the campaign is “very important,” but wishes she saw more advertising and broadcasting for the initiative.
Ibrahim Kyeyune, a senior chemistry major, said, “It is a really good practice.”
He said he hopes it influences other agencies to “step up” and take part in the initiative.
He added it is important to stand with and spread awareness for people with breast cancer.