By Marie Tolonen for Mesabi Tribune (published Oct. 4, 2025)
HIBBING — For the month of October, officers with the Hibbing Police Department (HPD) are once again trading off their regular department issued badges with pink ones in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The department is also conducting a fundraiser called Putting the Cuffs on Cancer to raise money for Angel Fund to help patients battling all types of cancer in northeastern Minnesota. Angel Fund is a nonprofit that provides financial assistance for items not covered by insurance.
From 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, HPD officers will be serving up burgers and beverages at Palmer’s Tavern and selling pink T-shirts and pink department patches available to purchase. All tips and proceeds benefit Angel Fund.
In 2024, HPD raised $3,500 for Angel Fund and is looking forward to this year’s event, according to Hibbing Police Officer Brittany Dillinger, an organizer for the event.
“This is our second year teaming up with Palmer’s to raise money for the Angel Fund,” Dillinger said. “Our officers had a blast last year waiting tables for tips and can’t wait to do it again this year.”
“The Hibbing Police Department’s Putting the Cuffs on Cancer event is about so much more than burgers and tips,” Angel Fund Board President Meghan Tomassini wrote in an email. “This initiative extends beyond a simple gathering, embodying a community-wide effort to support local cancer patients during a challenging period in their lives.”
“Every contribution directly benefits the Angel Fund, which offers crucial financial aid to cancer patients throughout our region,” Tomassini added. “These contributions cover essential expenses such as gas for transportation to treatments, groceries, and other daily necessities. By alleviating these financial burdens, patients are better able to concentrate on their recovery without the added stress of financial concerns, as these funds also help free up resources for other bills.”
Missy McFarland and Tony Larson purchased Palmer’s this year and were more than happy to carry on the HPD fundraiser started under the former ownership.
“I was super excited to get a message from Steve (HPD Police Chief Estey) asking if we’d like to host the event again this year,” McFarland, a longtime Palmer’s employee before becoming owner, told the Mesabi Tribune.
McFarland recalled that she and the staff at Palmer’s had “such a blast bartending and serving with the HPD last year.
“It’s for such a good cause and really brings our community together for a night out to support Angel Fund,” she added.
Tomassini said having our local officers lead this charge matters.
“It shows that fighting cancer is a community-wide effort and that those who serve and protect us every day are also standing shoulder to shoulder with their neighbors, coworkers, and friends in their cancer journey,” she told the Mesabi Tribune. “This event also shines a spotlight on the fact that cancer touches nearly every family in our community. By showing up, eating a meal, or leaving a tip, people are not just donating—they’re standing in solidarity with their neighbors, coworkers, and friends who are battling this disease.”
“The impact is twofold: it raises critical funds for patients, and it raises awareness about the importance of community-driven support. We are extremely grateful to the Hibbing Police Department, Palmer’s Tavern, and everyone who takes part in helping us ‘cuff cancer’ and bring hope to those who need it most.”
Pink patches are $10 and can be purchased at the HPD headquarters and at the Palmer’s event. If you are unable to make it to the pink event or HPD headquarters, you can email the address below to coordinate a pink patch purchase. T-shirts are $20 and can be purchased at the Palmer’s event.
For questions or more information, contact officer Dillinger at brittanydillinger@hibbingmn.gov.
About Angel Fund
Angel Fund is a 501C (3) nonprofit that provides financial assistance to northeastern Minnesota residents diagnosed with cancer and are dealing with treatment. Examples of help offered include but are not limited to: gas cards, gift certificates for groceries, clothing or nutritional supplements, medical supplies, mastectomy supplies, wigs, etc., according to the organization’s website.
As of Sept. 30, Angel Fund has presented 298 gifts totaling $105,000 for the year -- and that number is anticipated to grow through December.
Since inception, Angel Fund has disseminated more than 3,100 gifts totaling just more than $1.15 million.
Angel Fund is currently accepting applications for seats on its 13-member Board of Directors. The ideal candidate will attend up to two meetings per month, plan and volunteer at two to three annual fundraising events, participate in electronic voting, serve a minimum of two years and have a passion, drive and energy to network and fundraise for Northeastern Minnesota residents facing cancer treatment. Learn more at angelfundrange.org. To request an application and/or for questions, email info@angelfundrange.org. Applications are due Friday, Oct. 17.
About the Pink Patch Project
Since 2022, Hibbing Police Department has been a part of the Pink Patch Project (PPP).
The roots of the PPP can be traced to the Seal Beach California Police Department, who wore pink patches on their uniform shirts during “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” in 2013, according to information found on the Pink Patch Project website.
In 2015, the Irwindale California Police Department took the idea a step further and sold their patches to the community, raising over $20,000 for City of Hope.
In 2016, then IPD Chief Anthony Miranda took the idea to the Los Angeles Police Chiefs Association and 25 local agencies came on board. Since then, the program has expanded to several hundred partner agencies throughout the world and includes partners from police, sheriff, fire, EMS, and federal departments worldwide.
Each agency manages their PPP program locally and independently, implementing their program in a way that best fits their department. Each agency designs and obtains their own patches and supports the program at the agency level. Because each agency designs their PPP program to fit their particular needs, the agency can choose to employ all, or only some, of the program’s main components.
More information on the Pink Project is available online at pinkpatchproject.com.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
“One in 8 women will develop breast cancer,” Christine Walters, a certified mammographer at Fairview Range shared statistics from the American Cancer Society via email. “This means early detection is crucial for improving survival rates and improving outcomes for breast cancer patients.”
“I have been a certified mammographer here at Fairview Range since 2019,” Walters said. “I truly have a passion in helping women and men make a positive impactful difference in their health. However, being in a small town it does have its hard days. With October right around the corner this means Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”
While it’s recommended that women start getting yearly mammograms, starting at 40, Walters said she’s seen many women earlier than this; especially if they have a family history of breast cancer.
“A woman is considered to be at average risk if she doesn’t have a personal history of breast cancer, strong family history of breast cancer, or a genetic mutation known to increase risk of breast cancer (such as in BRCA gene) and has not had chest radiation therapy before the age of 30, according to the American Cancer Society.
“The exam itself is quick and with modern technology, has made getting a mammogram easier and less painful,” Walters aid. “I encourage women 40+ to schedule your mammogram today.”
Walters also explained the technology behind a 3D mammogram, and the importance of doing monthly self-breast exams.
“This 3D mammogram is an advanced imaging technology that can detect breast cancers more accurately, especially in dense breast tissue,” Walters told the Mesabi Tribune. “With that in mind, I also feel it is important to do monthly self-breast exams. Just being aware of your body is extremely valuable to identify major changes.”
“We are lucky, here at Fairview Range all patients can have the 3D mammogram regardless of their insurance,” Walters noted. “In fact, even if a patient does not have insurance, they are still able to have an annual 3D mammogram through the Sage Program. This 3D mammogram is an advanced imaging technology that can detect breast cancers more accurately, especially in dense breast tissue.”
More information on the Sage screening program is available online at https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/cancer/sage/about/index.html.
Mobile mammogram service serving rural communities
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins, Essentia Health is highlighting an innovative —and recently expanded — program that brings early breast cancer detection services to rural communities.
Essentia’s mobile mammography trucks have added additional locations across the rural health leader’s footprint, from central North Dakota to western Wisconsin, bringing convenient mammography services to more patients, according to a news release. The program will reduce travel time and eliminate barriers for those seeking mammograms — a critical tool to catch initial signs of breast cancer.
“Providing a mobile mammography unit to our rural community is critical to ensuring accessible breast cancer screening for women,” said Melissa Hawk, a healthcare worker with the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in northern Minnesota who helps coordinate annual scanning events with Essentia. “The nearest mammography facility is approximately one hour away, making it challenging for many to prioritize this essential health service. A mobile unit offers a convenient solution, allowing women to undergo annual screenings during breaks, encouraging consistent participation. This annual event is highly valued by the community and supports women in maintaining regular screenings, enhancing early detection and health outcomes.”
“Mammograms are critical for saving lives, so ensuring our patients can easily access these screenings is a top priority,” said Julie Singewald, vice president of radiology at Essentia.
Essentia will now offer mobile mammography in nearly 20 communities, including Aurora, Cloquet, Deer River, Deerwood, Sandstone and Staples in Minnesota, along with Hayward in Wisconsin.
The trucks will provide routine 3-D mammograms. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact your nearest Essentia clinic. Patients also can schedule an appointment through the MyChart patient portal.
By investing in mobile mammography services, Essentia is increasing early detection rates in rural communities, potentially leading to better health outcomes for patients in those areas.
“This is one of many examples of our commitment to providing and advancing rural health care,” said Singewald. “Offering this care directly to patients is something we are really proud of.”
Early detection is key
With the exception of skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). By the end of 2025 , the ACS estimates that nearly 317,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed and more than 42,000 women will die from the disease in the U.S.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great reminder to prioritize breast health and consider scheduling a mammogram. Knowing that early detection is crucial, Essentia recommends women of average risk get a mammogram screening every year beginning at age 40. Between these appointments, it’s important to practice self-breast awareness, which is knowing how your breasts normally look and feel. See a provider if you’re experiencing any of the following:
Things to look for
· Changes in the size or shape of the breast.
· A painful or itchy nipple.
· Discharge from the nipple without squeezing.
· Swelling, redness, warmth or darkening of the breast.
· Lumps or thickening in the breast or underarm area.
· A change in skin texture.
· A changing of the nipple position or shape.
· New pain in one spot that does not go away.
The Essentia Health High-Risk Breast Cancer Program focuses on helping patients understand their risk for developing breast cancer. After a thorough history, examination and education session, the patient and Breast Health Program nurse practitioner partner to form a personalized plan of care.
Ways to lower your risk
Patients can lower their breast cancer risk by doing some of the following, according to Essentia Health:
· Maintain a healthy weight.
· Exercise regularly.
· Limit alcohol intake.
· Limit hormone use.
· Breastfeed if possible.
· Avoid tobacco products.
