NEVADA CITY, CA – Seven law enforcement and fire agencies are inviting community members to create and submit their best Nevada County breast cancer awareness design that will be transformed into this year’s Pink Patch Project Breast Cancer Challenge Coin. Children are strongly encouraged to participate.
“This is your chance to show off your creativity, have fun, and create artwork that could be turned into a real challenge coin used to help raise awareness and support for breast cancer awareness in our community,” explained Jenna Hall, Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) Pink Patch Coordinator.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the importance of early detection and prevention, every October participating law enforcement and fire agencies sell Pink Patch Project Breast Cancer Challenge Coins for $20 each with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting local breast cancer research and services at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation in Grass Valley and Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation in Truckee. Agency-worn Pink Patches and merchandise are also sold annually to benefit both foundations.
The Pink Patch Project design contest is in effect May 22 – June 15, 2026.
This contest is open to all Nevada County residents. Designs may be uploaded to https://www.cityofgrassvalley.com/post/pink-patch-design-entry or tinyurl.com/PinkPatchDesign. Designs may be drawn, painted, or created digitally but must be copyright free and include the year. Nevada County residents may submit as many designs as they wish. Because the design will be transformed into a coin, slight modification to the winning artwork may be required. For those unable to submit their designs electronically, in-person submissions are accepted at NCSO and Grass Valley Police Department (GVPD), Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (GVPD is closed 12 – 1 p.m. for lunch).
All participating agencies will vote for their favorite design, and the winner will be notified on or before July 2, 2026. The winner will also receive special public recognition in the fall with an award.
Participating agencies this year include NCSO, GVPD, Truckee Police Department, Nevada City Police Department, Grass Valley Fire Department, Nevada County Consolidated Fire District, and Nevada County Probation. All seven agencies will fundraise and collectively sell coins, pink patches, and other merchandise this October to benefit breast cancer prevention.
For questions about the contest, community members may call GVPD’s Pink Patch Coordinator, Tina West, at (530) 477-4614. All submissions must be received by June 15. No exceptions.