Pink Patch ceremony brings together cancer survivors, law enforcement

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Community Health System honored 30 breast cancer survivors Tuesday morning at Clovis Community Medical Center in a ceremony, celebrating their recovery while driving awareness to the millions of women diagnosed with the disease annually.

The 30 honorees were first treated to a “Beauty Day” hosted by ULTA Beauty, including complimentary makeovers, beauty tutorials and more, followed by breakfast, photography portraits, therapy dog visits and music, culminating in the recognition at 10:45 a.m.

Each survivor was escorted to the Pink Patch ceremony site by law enforcement partners representing Fresno, Clovis, Fowler, Kerman, Kingsburg, Madera, Orange Cove, Reedley, Sanger and the State Center Community College District Police Department.

Several locales sent multiple departments to represent their cities, with Fresno, Clovis and Madera each offering several officers as escorts.

The Valley Pink Patch campaign partners with Community Health System and local law enforcement agencies to raise awareness and funds for Clovis Community Medical Center’s Marjorie E. Radin Breast Cancer Care center. During October, Valley law enforcement departments sell pink versions of their uniform patches for $10 each.

“Each department’s pink patch is different and is sold for $10,” said Katie Zenovich, SVP, Development and External Affairs and Chief Fund Development Officer at Community Health System. “Proceeds go directly to supporting local breast cancer patients.”

Each year, breast cancer causes hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide, with more than 670,000 deaths globally in 2022.

“These donations have helped purchase state-of-the-art equipment to help local patients, including 3D, contrast-enhanced mammography machines,” Zenovich said. “This technology is not available anywhere else in our region…it’s a game-changer for early detection.”

The event was sponsored by 500 Club Casino, Clovis Police Officers Association, Fresno Acura, Ulta Beauty, CalViva Health and Tesoro Viejo.