Firefighters and police to sport pink

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Although Breast Cancer Awareness Month isn't until October, area firefighters and police officers are preparing now to show their support.

What began as a small T-Shirt sale has slowly become a large financial support for women battling the disease.

"For this community and the 23 other counties that we serve and for this program in particular, there's so many women who are underinsured or have no insurance at all," commented Debbie DeBruyn, Executive Director of the YWCA.

There's a big need for support for those suffering from breast cancer. Organizations like the YWCA step up to provide assistance. Now they're receiving a big boost from men and women in uniform.

"We provide screenings, we provide diagnostic services and even if necessary, we provide treatment. And we pay all of that and that comes from funds like this," added DeBruyn.

For three years Firefighters and police officers in Lafayette and West Lafayette teamed up to raise money for Breast cancer programs.

Last year they raised close to $5,000 dollars selling T-Shirts.

"That's just the firemen buying them and selling them themselves and their family members so for a small pool of people we raise a significant amount of money," said Ben Jones, West Lafayette Fire Department.

This year's design by an area firefighter features the phrase "We're all heroes in the fight."

During the month of October firefighters, police officers, city employees, and even elected officials will sport the pink shirts under their uniforms -- steadily becoming one of the larger sources of support locally for cancer.