South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police

Summerville Police Department

Standing With a Family in Their Time of Need

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https://www.givesendgo.com/BlesstheWrightfmaily

Sixteen-year-old Mason Wright should be focused on school, sports, and the milestones every teenager looks forward to. Instead, she is preparing for a life-saving surgery after being diagnosed with severe mid-aortic syndrome. Her condition requires an extensive procedure at Duke University Hospital that will place her on heart-lung bypass and involve removing multiple organs so surgeons can bypass her aorta between her heart and lower extremities. It is a complex operation, but one her medical team believes will save her life.

Mason Wright needs our help.

Mason’s father, Summerville Police Chief Doug Wright, is a long-time member of the Fraternal Order of Police and a respected leader in our law enforcement community. While he is known for his service, he has always been a private person, especially when it comes to his family. But as Mason’s situation became more urgent, those close to the family asked how they could help, and a fundraiser was created to support the unexpected financial strain of her medical journey.

Mason’s path to this moment began with a routine sports physical and a mother who acted quickly when something didn’t seem right. She spent two weeks at the Medical University of South Carolina in July, including ten days in the ICU, undergoing testing and treatment. As plans for surgery progressed, a sudden change in insurance coverage disrupted her case file and forced the family to rebuild documentation at the same time her surgical timeline was moved up by six months due to the severity of her condition.

With Mason’s surgery scheduled out of state, her parents will need to stay near the hospital for an extended period. Expenses for lodging, meals, and travel are significant and not covered by insurance. The fundraiser aims to bridge this gap so the Wright family can remain focused on Mason’s recovery, not the mounting costs around it.

The Wright family is grounded in faith and strengthened by a community that cares. If you feel compelled to support them during this difficult time, your contribution, no matter the amount, will help provide stability as they navigate the weeks ahead.

To support Mason and her family, please visit the fundraiser below.

https://www.givesendgo.com/BlesstheWrightfmaily

When Officers Wear Pink

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Each October, South Carolina turns a little brighter. Patrol cars glow with pink lights, officers pin ribbons to their uniforms, and community events fill with reminders of resilience. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than a campaign. It is a testament to the courage of survivors, the memory of those lost, and the unwavering solidarity of the people who stand beside them, including the men and women who wear the badge.

In North Charleston, one of the department’s patrol cars has been repainted in bold pink, the word Hope stretched across its doors. It is impossible to miss, whether parked at a community event or rolling down the street. For the officers who drive it, that car is not just transportation. It is a promise. Years ago, when one of their own faced breast cancer, fellow officers formed a quiet motorcade to escort her to treatment. The gesture was simple, but it carried a weight that no words could match: we are with you.

That spirit is mirrored across the state. In Charleston, patrol cars have been fitted with pink halo lights, glowing reminders that compassion has a place in law enforcement. Chiefs and officers alike have joined the Real Men Wear Pink campaign, including Chief Walker in 2024, demonstrating that leadership in uniform also means leadership in empathy.

In Summerville, Captain Chris Cooper has stepped beyond his everyday responsibilities to join Real Men Wear Pink, raising both funds and awareness.

Richland County deputies carry pink badges throughout October, visible symbols of solidarity that go wherever duty calls. In Summerville, Captain Chris Cooper has stepped beyond his everyday responsibilities to join Real Men Wear Pink, raising both funds and awareness. And in Chesterfield County, Sheriff Cambo Streater and his staff wear pink ribbons, small tokens pinned close to their hearts.

These are only a few examples of the many ways law enforcement agencies across South Carolina bring attention to breast cancer during October.

Perhaps the most striking image comes from Easley, where a pink patrol car makes its way through town during community events. At “Ladies Night,” residents line up to sign their names across its surface, survivors, families, and supporters leaving their marks in ink. Each signature is a story. Each story is a reminder that breast cancer touches us all, and that no one should face it in silence.

Perhaps the most striking image comes from Easley, where a pink patrol car makes its way through town during community events. At “Ladies Night,” residents line up to sign their names across its surface, survivors, families, and supporters leaving their marks in ink. Each signature is a story. Each story is a reminder that breast cancer touches us all, and that no one should face it in silence.

These acts may seem simple, a painted car, a badge, a ribbon, but together they form a powerful chorus. They show that law enforcement is not separate from the communities it protects. Officers, too, have mothers, sisters, and daughters who have faced the disease. And some officers have fought breast cancer themselves, balancing treatment with service, drawing on the same courage they bring to the badge. Their perseverance reminds us that the uniform does not make them invulnerable, it makes their strength all the more remarkable.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is often symbolized by pink, but its meaning is deeper than color. It is about unity, resilience, and hope. And when South Carolina’s officers join that cause, they reveal the best of what it means to serve, not only to protect communities, but to walk beside them in life’s hardest battles.