In 1985, the month of October was designated as the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.   Originally founded to promote Mammography as the most effective weapon against Breast Cancer, it has become an annual international health campaign organized by major Breast Cancer charities to increase awareness and to raise funds for research and a reminder for women to be "Breast Cancer aware" for early detection. 

In the fall of 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors. The ribbon was derived from the popular red ribbon of AIDS awareness.

In 1993, Alexandra Penney, editor-in-chief of the women's health magazine Self, and Evelyn Lauder, Breast Cancer survivor and Senior Corporate Vice President of the Estée Lauder Companies, founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and established the pink ribbon as its symbol. The ribbon was distributed it in stores throughout New York City, on the strength of the Estée Lauder brand, and its status as the symbol of support for Breast Cancer awareness was cemented. 

Because the color pink is considered feminine in western countries, the ribbon has come to be a symbol and a proxy of goodwill towards women in general. Buying, wearing, displaying, and sponsoring pink ribbons can signal that a person or business cares about women.

The Riviera Beach Police Department hosted three (3) fundraisers which included: 

Fill the Can Drive:  Cash and coins were donated in cans left in assorted locations.

T-Shirt Sales:  In the City of Riviera Beach, both male and female employees were encouraged to wear pink shirts on Fridays in the month of October as a show of support for Breast Cancer Awareness. 

Boot Out Cancer Event:  An event was hosted at the Renegades Country Grill where tips were donated along with a 50/50 drawing, chances sold for door prizes, and other fund raising activities.

The Riviera Beach Police Department would like to present the proceeds from this year's fund raising efforts to the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Fund in the amount of $2,500.00. 

The Riviera Beach Police Department would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Heather Skyes of Renegades Country Grill.  In addition, special thanks to the Planning Committee which includes:  Monica Daniels, Senior Staff Assistant, Regina Price, Major of Police, April Baker, Senior Staff Assistant, and Debra Blue, Senior Staff Assistant (retired).

More importantly, thank you to the City of Riviera Beach's Mayor, City Council, and the City's Administration for its continued support over the past five (5) years.

To date, the Riviera Beach Police Department has raised over $5,000.00 in proceeds for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.