First responders sport pink badges for breast cancer awareness
Contributed
Marble Falls Police officers are proud to sport pink badges
Pictured, from left, are: Marble Falls Police Officer Diego Villareal, Officer Moriah Esquivel, Officer Andrew Howe and Sgt. Aaron Garcia.
By Connie Swinney •
Staff Writer •
It typically prompts a double take. However, that's the point – to get those who notice to “think pink” for breast cancer awareness.
Marble Falls police officers are donning bright pink badges and patches in the place of the traditional ones for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
“We participated with the fire department last year with the Pink Out (event),” Marble Falls Police Capt. Glenn Hanson said. “We decided we would show our support for the cause.
“To that end, we ordered the pink badges and patches,” he added.
From family to co-workers, the lives of millions of women are impacted each year by the diagnosis.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported that 108 new cases per 100,000 women are diagnosed each year.
“It's hard to find anyone anymore who hasn't been touched by cancer or a great deal by the disease breast cancer,” Hanson said. “You see major league baseball and the national football league wearing pink.
Officers will wear the pink badges through the end of November, to also bring attention to men's health issues.
According to TDSHS, overall cancer incidences are nearly three times higher in men than women.
“November is Mens Health Month,” he said. “We'll wear them to raise awareness about that cause.”
Sending such a visual message adds a human touch for those who protect and serve.
“These police officers and firefighters come from this community and serve this community,” Hanson said. “It sends a message to the community that we're one of them.
“It brings awareness and shows support,” he added. “We're glad to do it.”
