The Maine State Police and Maine State Troopers Foundation (MSTF) unveiled the Maine State Police “Pink-Themed” cruisers for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 6, as a way to kick off the MSTF’s 2021 Pink Patch Initiative.

“We are proud of the partnership of the Maine State Police and the Maine State Troopers Foundation which allows us to support Maine-based cancer charities,” said Col. John Cote, Chief of the Maine State Police, in a MSP news release. “Cancer continues to impact many Maine families and we hope our efforts can make a difference in their treatments and the battles they face.” 

This initiative involves the MSTF selling pink-themed Maine State Police patches for $10 each (plus $1 for shipping and processing fees), with 100-percent of the proceeds benefitting two Maine-based nonprofits: Cary Medical Center in Caribou with their Pink Aroostook Pink Program and Sarah’s House in Holden which offers a comfortable place to stay for people travelling from far afield within minutes of Northern Light’s Cancer Care Center in Brewer. 

“As a privately funded nonprofit, Sarah’s House relies on community support,” said Dolores Landry, executive director of Sarah’s House of Maine. “We couldn’t do what we do without the caring support of organizations like the Maine State Troopers Foundation!  On October 1st, we celebrated our seventh anniversary.  During that time, we have hosted more than 450 cancer patients and their caregivers. By staying at Sarah’s House guests are able to focus on getting the treatment and support they need. The bonus is that we have saved them over one million miles of travel to and from their life saving treatments! We are truly grateful for the support of the Maine State Troopers Foundation.”

In addition to the pink patches, Maine State Police have outfitted two cruisers with pink decals to help raise awareness of breast cancer during the month of October. The decals were made with the help of the Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine State Police Fleet Maintenance.

“It is an honor for the Maine State Troopers Foundation to partner with the Maine State Police in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month,” said Ret. Trooper Mark Nickerson, president of the MSTF. “Cancer touches so many lives not only directly but also indirectly to all the family, friends and the professionals who work in this field to treat people afflicted with this terrible disease. I have lost several family members and many friends to cancer and I can tell you firsthand how much it affects everyone. The MSTF throws our support in favor these local charities because the need is right here in our own State, where people can get support and not have to travel so far for medical treatments. I feel this is an excellent way to bring further exposure to this great effort by these non-profit charities to help in this life-threatening disease.”

Anyone who would like to purchase a Pink Patch, they are $10, plus a $1 shipping or processing fee. You can make a check payable to the Maine State Troopers Foundation and mail them to Sgt. Aaron Turcotte, RE: Pink Patch Project, 198 Maine Ave, Bangor, ME 04401. Make sure to include a mailing address with your correspondence.

Cindy Blanchette of Cary Medical Center and Pink Aroostook said she was reminded of a quote she keeps on a sign at her desk: “We don’t know how strong we are until being strong is the only choice that we have.” 

Sarah’s House of Maine

The mission of Sarah’s House is to provide temporary lodging in a comfortable “home away from home” environment to cancer patients (and their caregivers) receiving treatments at Cancer Care.  We serve a vast area for cancer treatment, and convenient lodging is essential for these people.  At Sarah’s House, we provide not only an affordable place to stay, but a supportive and caring atmosphere centered around hope and healing.  Referred guests are served with integrity and respect and without regard to financial resources.

Pink Aroostook and Cary Medical

Cary Medical’s Pink Aroostook is a breast health program designed for support, advocacy, education, and awareness of breast health issues in northern Maine.

Thanks to Cary Medical Center and collaborations with the National Breast Cancer Coalition, the American Cancer Society and the Maine Breast & Cervical Health Program, Pink Aroostook helps connect people diagnosed with breast cancer to local and national resources which may be able to provide financial and emotional support.

Maine State Trooper Foundation

The Maine State Troopers Foundation was formed as a not-for-profit independent arms-length organization in 1994 with the purpose of supporting the work of Maine State Police troopers across Maine who tirelessly and voluntarily develop, assist, support and offer outreach to coordinate programs with local community groups in an effort to enhance the lives of Maine youths and citizens.