Mexican Soccer Against Breast Cancer

Filed in archive Latin News , Latinas on September 25, 2007

Here's an original and creative project to help the fight against breast cancer: Mexican soccer is getting dressed in pink to send a message to women about the importance of regular breast self-exam.

In Mexico a woman dies of breast cancer every 2 hours and 20 minutes, according to data provided by the Mexican Association Against Breast Cancer.

"We will take a series of actions, the main one is that from phase 10 to 14, all the games in the Mexican Soccer's 1st division will be played with the Voit Pink Tribe ball", said José Ramón Elizondo, Voit's president.

Soccer players will carry a pink ribbon, and before each game a banner with the message "United in the battle against breast cancer" will be displayed. In addition, the clubs that play as locals will make pink tickets, and the fans will be provided with pink balloons.

"The design is in pink because it's the color used to symbolize this fight, and it's common to see it in October, because October is the world-wide month against breast cancer", explained Elizondo.

Decio de María, General Secretary of the Mexican Soccer Federation (FMF), said he hopes the campaign will help to reduce the statistics of breast cancer mortality.

"Hopefully with the strategy we are beginning today, we'll raise those 2,2 hours to 2,2 days and then to 2,2 months; that's the reason why the Mexican Soccer's 1st division is united with this emblem, this color and this message", expressed De María.

I think this a great project. But breast cancer isn't a serious issue only in Mexico. Regular breast self-exam is REALLY important and it can save your life. Are you checking "the girls"? Don't know how to do it? Useful links:

Breast Cancer.org
Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Source (in Spanish): El Universal