Sylvia Contreras

​Earlier in the week, the Azusa Police Department announced the release of the department's first pink patch, in support of bringing awareness to breast cancer. A page was created on the department's website at azusapd.org/pink, which explains more about the patch and it's origin.

To commemorate this project, the first pink police shoulder patch was issued to long-time resident and cancer survivor, Sylvia Contreras. Sylvia, who is 76, was diagnosed with breast cancer in November of 2004, and again in November of 2015. On both occasions, the cancer affected the same breast. 

Because Sylvia had mammograms completed early on, she was able to catch the cancer at it's beginning stage. Fortunately, she beat the cancer and is a survivor.

"When I was first diagnosed, I couldn't say the word (cancer)," Sylvia said. She attributes her successful battle to the three "F's" - Faith, family, and friends. By keeping all three in her life, she was able to overcome the disease. Sylvia is very thankful of her physician, Dr. Ben Paz, the medical staff at City of Hope, and the staff at The Hill Breast Center in Pasadena.

Sylvia has lived in Azusa since 1950. She and her husband, Tony, have two daughters, Antonette and Stephanie, and three grandsons.

On behalf of Chief Stephan Hunt and all the men and women of the Azusa Police Department, we proudly salute Sylvia in her win against breast cancer.

If you would like to purchase a commemorative patch, please visit AzusaPD.org/pink to learn more.

To see a list of agencies who are participating in The Pink Patch Project, click here.

If you would like more information about this deadly disease, please visit The National Breast Cancer Foundation.