Reading Police Wearing Pink Badges For Breast Cancer Awareness

READING, MA — The Reading Police Department will mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October by wearing bright pink badges, rather than the traditional department badge.

Public safety dispatchers will wear special shirts showing their support, and civilian staff will don polo shirts displaying the pink badge.

Residents may purchase the special department 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," Police Chief David 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.

It 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, men, and families in our communities," Michelle Trodella, the foundation's co-founder, said.

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.

"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 share this post on their social media channels to raise awareness even more."