In observance of National Breast Cancer Month, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office raised $780.00, which was donated to the Brem Foundation and will directly pay for three women to receive mammograms. Each year 1 in 8 women is diagnosed with breast cancer. According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of women each year.
Traditionally, police officers wear a black band over their badges when mourning one of their fellow officers killed in the line of duty. For the month of October, deputies proudly wore pink mourning bands in honor of those and their families who have been affected by breast cancer. Sheriff’s Office employees showed their support by donating toward pink bracelets displaying the hashtag #arrestbreastcancer. Each person was asked to make a minimum donation of $5.00.
The money will directly benefit the Brem Foundation, started by Dr. Rachel Brem to educate women from all backgrounds about breast cancer risk factors and diagnostic options. The Brem Foundation believes, “If properly educated, and inspired, women have the power to take control and save their own lives.” The donation will aid local low-income women ensuring early detection through biopsies and for underinsured and uninsured women in the area, for whom no other program exists.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office had the honor of presenting the donation at “Survivor Saturday,” an educational and inspirational event hosted by Forever Eden Organics, a local organic health and wellness manufacturer in St. Mary’s County. The Sheriffs’s Office Donation was presented to Dr. Brem, who was the keynote speaker for the event.
“This was a tangible way for us to give back to our community. The fact that our donation will directly benefit three women makes me proud of our employees’ commitment to our community,” stated Sheriff Tim Cameron.
The Sheriff’s Office will make this an ongoing effort each October to honor those affected by breast cancer.
For more information about the Brem Foundation visit www.bremfoundation.com. To learn more about next year’s “Survivor Saturday” go to www.ForeverEdenOrganics.com.
