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City of Washington police chief wears pink

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City of Washington police Chief Robert Wilson, who has worn the color pink maybe twice in his life, found himself recently on a hunt for the perfect pink shirt.

CELESTE VAN KIRK

Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter City of Washington police officers were a pink band over their badge in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Real Men Wear Pink campaign on Friday, October 13, 2017.

He checked a uniform store and looked online, but the colors weren’t exactly right.

Then, he got a call from the department’s supplier, Trapuzzano’s Uniforms, to come in. He walked into the Washington shop and there it was, a pink shirt, the exact color used for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“They took home a regular uniform shirt and dyed it for me,” said Wilson, who has and will continue to wear the shirt every Friday in October.

Wilson is one of 10 Washington County men on the Making Strides team, tasked with calling attention to and raising funds for the American Cancer Society’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign. The campaign supports breast cancer initiatives, including promoting early detection and prevention, funding research and supporting patients.

So far, the national campaign has raised more then $5.5 million. Funds have been used to provide transportation to treatment, to connect patients with breast cancer survivors and individuals who help them navigate their diagnosis, for assistance with appearance-related side effects from treatment, and for lodging.

Making Strides members joining Wilson are Ken Fusina of John F. Kennedy Catholic School, David LaMatrice of PIPA Group LLC, Mike Lesako of Washington & Jefferson College, Anthony Marino of Don’s Appliances, Andy Oswald of West Penn Wire, Michael Passalacqua of Angelo’s Restaurant, Chris Potts of Tower Gulf, Sandy Rogers of UPS Freight and Steven Zavacky of Washington Wild Things.

Each has a goal to raise $2,500 through October.

CELESTE VAN KIRK

Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter City of Washington police Chief Bob Wilson is wearing laces in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Real Men Wear Pink campaign on Friday, October 13, 2017.

In addition to the shirt, Wilson is wearing boot laces, an American flag pin, bracelet and badge bar, all in pink. Other officers and members of the fire department, road crew and administrative staff are also sporting the hue.

“Everybody jumped on board,” Wilson said. “I’ve got nothing but positive reactions.”

Officer John Hritz, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 95., ordered a custom pink badge in honor of his mother, Regina Hritz, a breast cancer survivor.

“It brought tears to my eyes,” said Regina Hritz.

The Hritz family participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk Saturday in North Strabane Municipal Park.

Regina Hritz, who was diagnosed with breast cancer 17 years ago, said the event was eye-opening.

“You look around and you think, ‘Wow, so many people are facing it,'” she said. “It’s an experience you wish nobody has to go through, but so many people do.”

Seeing so many in pink, and seeing her son’s badge, “is very touching.”

“It’s very special to me,” she said.

John Hritz said several of his fellow officers plan to purchase pink badges.

“I’ve gotten nothing but good remarks,” he said. “It’s kind of a surprise to find out how many people knows someone who has had breast cancer.”

Wilson, who has raised about $2,000 so far, said he has met wonderful people through the campaign.

“It’s been a phenomenal experience for me,” said Wilson. “It makes you feel good to be able to do something like this.”

For information or to donate, go to www.main.acsevents.org/site/TR/?fr_id=85015&pg=entry or call 724-222-6911.

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