October 24 is Pink Ribbon Day and officers from Centenary Division are proud to go pink by wearing pink Queensland Police Service badges to help raise awareness and funds.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Bob Gee said wearing pink QPS badges was a great way to start important conversations that could help make a difference.
"Unfortunately breast and gynaecological cancers touch everyone’s life in one way or another – directly or indirectly through family or friends," Acting Deputy Commissioner Gee said.
"If every person who sees the pink badge did something to support breast cancer awareness, this would make us proud to have contributed to such an important cause."
Leading the way is Sergeant Richard Power who like many others has suffered the affects breast cancer can have on families.
"2016 was a very tough time for my family, as we lost five immediate and extended family members to cancer in six months," Sergeant Power said.
"I have experienced the tremendous emotional toll cancer has on your life. It affects all facets of your home and work environments. As such, being able to raise further awareness and financial aid to work towards a cure is important to me."
Cancer Council General Manager Meaghan Bush, Sergeant Richard Power and Acting Deputy Commissioner Bob Gee
Superintendent Geoff Sheldon said he couldn’t have been more supportive of the concept.
"When Richard came to me with the concept of pink badges, it was obvious the idea was going to be very popular," Superintendent Sheldon said.
"We quickly realised that our initial concept of having 200 badges just for South Brisbane District members was very conservative, as demand soon outstripped our modest initial estimates."
Among the 200 officers who’ve purchased pink badges are officers from Polair, Dog Squad and other specialist units.
Cancer Council Queensland CEO Ms Chris McMillan commended Sergeant Power for his efforts, saying the support of local fundraisers made a vital difference to the charity’s work.
"One in six Queensland women will be diagnosed with a breast or gynaecological cancer in their lifetime – more than 4200 each year," Ms McMillan said.
"Giving hope to women affected and hope for a cancer free future is as simple as joining Sergeant Power in hosting a Pink Ribbon fundraiser for Cancer Council Queensland."
All funds raised will be invested in vital cancer research, patient support services and prevention programs for women affected by breast and gynaecological cancers.
For more information on how you can support women with breast or gynaecological cancer, visit here or call Cancer Council Queensland’s Fundraising Hotline on 1300 65 65 85.
