San Angelo Police Officers to Grow Beards in November to Raise Awareness for Cancer

Starting on November 1, 2015, San Angelo Police Officers will begin to grow goatees and beards to help raise awareness for testicular cancer.

The San Angelo Police Department is partnering with the Testicular Cancer Foundation (TCF) in Austin, Texas to raise donations and awareness for testicular cancer.

The TCF was founded in 2009 by Matt Ferstler, a testicular cancer survivor. The mission of the TCF is to provide education and support to men diagnosed with testicular cancer, provide support to families of testicular cancer patients, and to share its resources with the medical and healthcare communities, schools, and various young men’s groups. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in males ages 15-35 and is 99% treatable if diagnosed in stage one.

Two years ago the TCF partnered with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office in a November Beard Patrol challenge where, for a $25 donation, the Deputies were allowed to grow goatees and beards to raise awareness and support the TCF. Last year, the Austin Police Department also participated. This year the TCF has reached out to other Police Departments and Sheriff’s Departments around the state to participate.

The San Angelo Police Department is proud to announce their participation in the Beard Patrol challenge this year.   Officers who wish to participate in the challenge will make a $50 donation to a TCF website that has been set up to receive donations and begin to grow goatees and beards on November 1, 2015. SAPD’s female Officers can participate by making donations.

If any citizen wishes to learn more about testicular cancer or learn how to detect the signs of testicular cancer, please visit www.tcancer.org. If anyone in the community wishes to participate, donations can be made at http://tcf.causevox.com/san-angelo-police-department. If you grow a goatee or beard we would love to see your progress! Tweet your pictures to @SanAngeloPolice and use the hashtag #SAPDStacheCam!