Police Don Pink Patches And Grow Beards For A Cause

Many Parma police officers wore pink patches on their sleeves in October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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From vibrant pink patches on their uniforms to trendy beards, police officers are making a fashion statement this fall. In October, many of the officers donned vibrant pink police patches on their sleeves in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They also collaborated with University Hospital’s Seidman Cancer Center to bring awareness about breast cancer detection during Polish Village’s Treat & Greet, passing out literature at the event with UH staff. Furthermore, they raised money through City of Parma dress-down Fridays to help cover transportation costs for cancer patients traveling to and from treatments. The money was donated to the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery transportation program.

Throughout November, many officers will be growing beards for their third annual No-Shave WishVember. Three years ago, Patrol Officer Jason Piazza contacted A Special Wish Foundation Cleveland Chapter, a charity that fulfills the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses across greater Cleveland. “We connected with A Special Wish leaders to start a no-shave fundraiser. We wanted to identify a specific wish child to help grant his or her wish and name it, “No-Shave WishVember,” Piazza said. “The first year, we raised enough money to grant a little girl’s wish to swim with the dolphins in Orlando.”

Spearheaded by Piazza, the fundraiser grew last year to include Independence, Chagrin Falls, Pepper Pike, Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights police departments. Collectively, the departments raised more than $16,000 to help grant numerous wishes, including sending Maxine and her family on her wish trip to Hawaii. “These officers have created deserving memories for these children battling life-threatening illnesses that their families will never forget,” said Eileen Lane, executive director of A Special Wish Foundation Cleveland Chapter.

For more details about No-Shave WishVember, visit www.Police4Wishes.org.