Students at Santa Cruz school raise money in honor of staff members who survived breast cancer

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) Students from Good Shepherd Catholic school have raised more than $1,000 for a cause that has greater meaning for them.

The money is going towards the Watsonville Police Department's Pink Patch Project campaign, which is intended to bring public awareness to breast cancer and support research organizations.

The students raised the money in honor of two staff members, Preschool Director Kristen Barkman and Pre-K Teacher Ría Byrne, who were diagnosed with breast cancer last year and are now survivors.

"Kristen and Ría, the Watsonville community is behind you!" police said.