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The police contingent was one of more than 400 teams of 3,000 or so walkers at the event.
"Family members have joined, we had friends come this year," Old Tappan Officer Kathryn Weaver told Daily Voice. "We're not turning anyone away."
That includes their male counterparts -- officially known as the Boys In Blue Fighting in Pink.Bergen County Pink Heals President John LaFalce, a volunteer firefighter, brought the Ridgefield police department's pink patrol car.
Some of the walkers have faced issues of their own, as have their mothers, aunts or grandmothers.
Andrea Brazofsky, a retired Westwood police officer, got involved after her mother got breast cancer.
"These women are so brave," said team memberShannon Fortunac. "It's the least we can do for them."
Survivors who attended were honored onstage prior to the walk.
"Let's understand we're going to cut cancer out of our lives," Ridgefield Park Mayor George D. Fosdick said.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a nationwide fundraiser, an awareness booster and a celebration of those who’ve survived, as participants and supporters share the determination to make this breast cancer’s last century — one literal step at a time.
The team of female law enforcement officers from Bergen County emerged five years ago as a gesture of support by Weaver and Washington Township Officer Heather Castronova.
They quickly signed up fellow Officers Shane Broglia of the Ridgewood police department, Rachel Morgan and Christine Udis of the Paramus department and Edgewater Officer Christina Rae.
Castronova said the funds raised go toward “finding cures and promising new treatments through funding and conducting research,” as well as into lobbying efforts geared toward “working with lawmakers to help all women get access to screenings and care.”
It will help uninsured women get better access to mammograms, provide free rides for cancer patients to and from treatments – and, of course, fund more intensive research, she said.
MORE INFO: MakingStrides
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