Chief Joseph O’Connor is pleased to announce that the Concord Police Department and the Concord Police Relief Association will be participating in the Pink Patch Project.

Through the Pink Patch Project, the department and relief association are partnering to sell pink versions of department’s patch. The money raised from sales will be donated to Emerson Hospital’s Hermel Breast Health Center.

The patches will be available at the police station for $5, or via mail by sending a check for $5 to the Concord Police Relief Association/Pink Patch Project at 219 Walden St., Concord.

“Breast cancer impacts many people in our community and we look forward to raising awareness with this initiative,” Chief O’Connor said. “I want to commend the Concord Police Relief Association and members of the department for making this initiative a reality.”

The Pink Patch Project is a collaborative effort between the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs’ Association and public safety agencies nationwide. These agencies have joined together through the project to combat breast cancer by raising both public awareness and funds for breast cancer education, research and treatment.

“Unfortunately, breast cancer is far too familiar to my family,” said Inspector Jeff Shelley, whose fiance battled breast cancer and has been cancer free for a year. “I am proud to partner with the Pink Patch Project and continue the fight against breast cancer on a larger scale.”

Inspector Shelley, who first learned of the Pink Patch Project on social media, has worked with multiple other organizations, including Dana Farber, the Pan Mass Challenge and the Tanner Ta Ta Foundation to support the effort to overcome breast cancer.

“The Concord Police Relief Association is hopeful that our support in this initiative will show the members of our community that we are committed to spreading awareness on an issue that affects so many families every day,” Detective Keith Harrington said.