FORT WAYNE, IN — Beginning Thursday, members of the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) will replace their standard metal badges with bright pink ones to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The visual change is intended to spark conversation and generate support for women facing the disease.
How officers can participate
Any officer who contributes $20 will receive a brand‑new pink badge to wear on duty. Those who have previously purchased a badge may add a $10 donation to receive a replacement badge from an earlier campaign. All contributions go directly to Francine’s Friends, a nonprofit that provides mobile mammography services and educational resources to women in need.
Additional fundraising effort
The department is also offering pink badge window clings for $5 each. The clings are available at the Rousseau Center front desk during normal business hours, and 100% of the proceeds are earmarked for the Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography program.
History of the pink badge initiative
The pink badge campaign has been a recurring part of FWPD’s community‑outreach efforts since at least 2016. Over the years, the program has helped raise awareness of breast cancer and has contributed thousands of dollars toward screening and support services. Capt. Sherronda Blocher emphasized the symbolic importance of the badge, saying, “Our badge is a big part of our uniform, and for us to change it to the color pink is a big deal.”
Why the cause matters
Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting women in the United States. Early detection through regular mammograms significantly improves survival rates, yet many women in Indiana still face barriers to accessing timely screening. Mobile mammography units, like those operated by Francine’s Friends, bring essential services directly to neighborhoods that might otherwise lack convenient options.
Community response
Local residents and businesses have expressed strong support for the initiative. Several neighborhood groups have pledged to match officer donations, and a handful of schools have incorporated the pink badge theme into their own awareness activities. The collaborative effort underscores Fort Wayne’s tradition of faith‑centered, family‑oriented community service.
How to get involved
Anyone interested in supporting the cause can make a donation at the police department’s front desk or through the department’s online portal. The pink badge clings can be purchased in person at the Rousseau Center. Both options provide a tangible way for Fort Wayne citizens to stand with women battling breast cancer and to promote early‑detection screening throughout the region.
For more information about Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography or to learn about upcoming breast cancer awareness events in Fort Wayne, visit the department’s website or contact the FWPD community outreach office.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
