When Julian Jolivette’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer during the pandemic, the San Mateo police officer quickly realized how difficult it can be to navigate the health care system. Between insurance obstacles, confusing doctor visits and strict COVID-19 protocol, Jolivette found it was more difficult to care for his mother than he’d hoped it would be.
“I felt alone. My mom is a single parent, and I’m an only child. I was afraid to lose my mom,” he said. “With COVID, there were only so many appointments I could go to, so my mom would put me on FaceTime and bring me into the office.”
The experience made Jolivette rethink how his police department supports the Pink Patch Project, a breast cancer awareness campaign in which officers wear pink patches on their uniforms as a way to stimulate conversation and educate the public about the disease. The initiative originated from a Southern California police department in 2013 and has since spread to other police departments statewide, including San Mateo.
Besides wearing pink patches and offering home-cooked meals, Jolivette said, it’s more important for affected individuals and their families to feel supported by a community. Last year, with the rest of the department’s support, Jolivette organized the first Pink Patch Party community event as a way to do just that.
The department also began offering breast cancer “battle baskets,” which include tissues, a candle, journal and gift card as a way to help with day-to-day expenses, medications or additional care.
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“I want someone to be able to feel that their emotional needs and financial needs are seen,” Jolivette said. “I want them to feel supported and heard, so they can begin their journey towards overcoming the disease and not feel as alone as we did when we got the diagnosis.”
Jolivette’s hope is that the baskets and events benefit not just the San Mateo police officers’ friends and family, but rather all city residents. Through the organization of the Pink Patch Party, many patients — including his mother, currently in remission — have realized that a robust support community exists, whether they are connected to the police department or not. And at a time when community relations with police officers can feel tenuous, Jolivette said it’s critical to demonstrate how officers like him show up for residents.
This Saturday, the second annual Pink Patch Party will take place in downtown San Mateo. The event, open to the public, is an opportunity to receive mammograms from Sutter Health at no cost, while also partaking in more fun activities, such as live music, raffles, animals open for adoption and more.
“I want people to see all the community resources that are available. So should they get a diagnosis and hear the ‘C’ word, they can feel comfortable knowing that they have support,” he said.
I really don't vibe with this whole "pink" thing when it comes to breast cancer awareness and assistance. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was in middle school - and it turned my entire families life upside down. Whenever we went to these "pink events" there was a disgusting aura of feminism and liberalism that permeated everything. This whole "pink" thing was really a veil for Feminism and fake female empowerment. The messages they were pushing were the same as feminism. Be selfish - forget your family - its all about you. It all felt so fake to us so we stopped attending these kind of events. Breast Cancer is a family issue - not a feminist issue.
Hi LittleFoot, We don’t have an agenda to push other than to raise awareness and funds for our locally run charity and of course, to support the women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Thanks very much for the response and glad to hear that. The best local charity I have found that I patronize often - is the East Palo Alto Ecumenical Hunger Program. I think partnering with them on a future project would be beneficial.
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(4) comments
I really don't vibe with this whole "pink" thing when it comes to breast cancer awareness and assistance. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was in middle school - and it turned my entire families life upside down. Whenever we went to these "pink events" there was a disgusting aura of feminism and liberalism that permeated everything. This whole "pink" thing was really a veil for Feminism and fake female empowerment. The messages they were pushing were the same as feminism. Be selfish - forget your family - its all about you. It all felt so fake to us so we stopped attending these kind of events. Breast Cancer is a family issue - not a feminist issue.
Hi LittleFoot, We don’t have an agenda to push other than to raise awareness and funds for our locally run charity and of course, to support the women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Thanks very much for the response and glad to hear that. The best local charity I have found that I patronize often - is the East Palo Alto Ecumenical Hunger Program. I think partnering with them on a future project would be beneficial.
Bravo to San Mateo Police Department for the Pink Patch on Saturday. Thank you.
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