Carpentersville police raising money, awareness for breast cancer

Carpentersville police will soon be selling and wearing pink uniform patches to support breast cancer research.

The police department is one of about 90 law enforcement agencies nationwide - and the first in Illinois - to join the Pink Patch Project, a breast cancer public awareness and fundraising campaign. Through the initiative, which was founded last May by members of the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs' Association, each partnering agency specially designs its own pink patch to wear and sell, according to the project's website.

"The object is twofold," Carpentersville Police Chief Michael Kilbourne said. "To raise awareness of breast cancer and to help with fundraising for breast cancer awareness, research and treatment."

Carpentersville police, who announced their participation this month, will begin selling their patches in March for about $10 apiece, he said. The money generated from patch sales and other fundraising efforts will be donated to a Chicago-area foundation, chosen by the police department, that specializes in breast cancer research and treatment.

"We've talked to different organizations, just doing research to pick out the most appropriate one," Kilbourne said, "and the one where any donations we make will be the biggest bang for the buck."

Last year, the Pink Patch Project raised $320,000 to be distributed among the participating agencies' chosen organizations.

Carpentersville officers will have the option of wearing the pink patches on their uniforms, Kilbourne said, which may stimulate conversation with community members about the fight against the disease and the importance of early detection.

The police department plans to organize fundraising and awareness events during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, he added.