Wellesley Police Promote Breast Cancer Awareness With Pink Patch

WELLESLEY, MA — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Wellesley Police Department are doing their part to spread awareness and support the cause.

Wellesley police are recognizing this month by wearing a pink pin on the police officer uniform during October. While the pin primarily represents breast cancer, it is a conversation starter for all types of cancer that can affect women.

In 2019, the Wellesley Police Department developed a pink Wellesley Police patch. The patches are being sold at the Wellesley Police Department building and other familiar Wellesley stores for $10. Proceeds from the sales are donated to the Julie Fund, a Wellesley-based charity that supports education, advocacy, research, and patient support for women battling cancer.

The fund was established in the memory of Wellesley resident Julie McAvinn, who passed away in 2004 from ovarian cancer. The Julie Fund has donated more than four million dollars in the fight against cancer since its inception in 2004.

In addition to a pin, Wellesley Police Officers also wear pink patches on their uniform throughout October. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the department is also wearing pink face coverings with the WPD patch.

This year, Wellesley Police Chief Jack Pilecki wanted to take the Breast Cancer Awareness month campaign one step further. The department began enthusiastically converting a fully marked cruiser from the traditional WPD colors to a highly visible pink cruiser that would continue to respond to calls for service and remain completely operational.

Pink Wellesley Police Patches can be found at the following businesses:

• Fells Market on Weston Road
• The Linden Store on Linden Street
• Marks Pizza on Washington Street in the Lower Falls
• Tutto Italiano Wellesley, located in the heart of Wellesley Square