Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
RAISING AWARENESS — The Maine State Police unveiled new license plates Monday designed to raise awareness for breast cancer. Putting one of the plates onto a cruiser is trooper Nick Casavant.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — All marked Maine State Police cruisers in the state will bear new pink license plates during the month of October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
“I think everyone knows or knows of someone who has gone through breast cancer,” Troop F Commanding Officer Lt. John E. Cote said. “People will start seeing them on the cruisers this week.”
The plates were purchased by the Maine State Police Trooper’s Association and will later be auctioned off as collector’s items by the Maine Cancer Foundation, with the proceeds benefiting three Maine cancer groups.
With five breast cancer survivors, all associated with state police, looking on, the first State Police “Cancer Awareness” license plate was attached to a Maine State Police cruiser Monday afternoon in Augusta.
“We all know someone that has been affected by breast cancer,” said Col. Robert Williams, chief of the state police. “The state police is no different. We have had co-workers, family members and friends all stricken with this devastating disease. Last year the Maine State Troopers Association came forward with a project to help those affected by breast cancer. When they approached me with what they had in mind, I could not have agreed more.”
All troopers that participate in this project will be allowed to keep one of the BCA plates in recognition of his/her participation in the project and in promoting early detection.
“The Maine State Police is pleased to participate in this effort to honor the many lives lost each year to this disease, and to promote the importance of early detection,” Williams said.
