‘Real Cops Wear Pink’ to Support Cancer Survivors

Members of the Berlin Police Department and the Connecticut Fraternal Order of Police are thinking pink these days.

The two have joined forces with the American Cancer Society and A.S. Labieniec Store to support the town’s first official Bark for Life program – and already the efforts have helped pay off in raising money for cancer research and treatment.

For Berlin K-9 Officer Aimee Krzykowski, it’s a cause that touches close to home. A breast cancer survivor and handler of K-9 Titan, she approached the organizations seeking help in raising funds to help host the event. But Krzykowski never expected the response she received.

“I came up with an idea to design the pink shirts working with Russ (Winninger) and brought the idea to Chief (Paul) Fitzgerald,” said Krzykowski, a breast cancer survivor. “I never thought he would buy it, but the next day they had ordered the shirts for all our officers.”

Underneath their uniforms, a bright pink t-shirt with Krzykowski’s badge number and the phrase, “Real cops wear pink for the cure” now adorn every officer in town. Proceeds from the shirt, designed to promote awareness as part of breast cancer awareness month, support the American Cancer Society and Berlin’s Bark for Life.

The Bark for Life event, which will be hosted by A.S. Labieniec at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19, with the help of owner Carleen Quinn and manager Anna Duffy, has already solicited more than 34 participants for the first of what they hope will become an annual event.

Winninger, president of the Connecticut Fraternal Order of Police, presented the Bark for Life organizers with a $2,000 check.

“Aimee is a friend, first and foremost, and cops have always taken care of each other,” Winninger said. “What Aimee went through isn’t just something that cops deal with, however, and this was a way to not only support her, but the whole community and state. It’s a cause that worthwhile.”

The Berlin Police Union Local 1318 also supported Officer Krzykowski’s fund-raising efforts and donated over $800 to purchase t-shirts for its members, Lt. Chris Ciuci said.

The shirts will be on sale at the event. For more on the Bark for Life program, including how to get involved and a schedule of events, see the flyer above or visit www.relayforlife.org/barkberlinct.

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