Breast cancer awareness raised across border
CALEXICO — The Lazo Rosa Binacional walk held here Wednesday morning provided a step in the right direction for raising breast cancer awareness.
About 70 participants marched down the street of Heber Avenue, creating a display with pink shirts, balloons and banners that couldn’t be ignored.
Highlighted by the sounds of the Calexico High School drum line and escorts from the Calexico Police Department, the attention created by the group of breast cancer awareness supporters was exactly what was hoped for, said Ventanilla De Salud Program Coordinator Adriana Buelna.
“We want this big event for awareness so we can bring in more of the community, agencies and survivors to unite for the walk,” said Buelna, who enjoyed that the walk had more participants than ever in its sixth year.
Organized in collaboration between Ventanilla De Salud, the Mexican Consulate, and Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District, the event also aimed to encourage women to get prevention screenings or exams.
“We want women to be aware of how important it is to do all the medical exams before to prevent, instead of going to the emergency room for breast cancer when it’s too late. Prevention is important for us,” said Buelna.
The group of supporters began at the Consulate of Mexico building on Heber Avenue and made their way to East First Street, stopping at the United States/ Mexico border, where members of the Mujeres Que Viven foundation awaited them on the other side.
Consul of México Carlos Flores Vizcarra then held half of a pink cutout ribbon against the border fence while Mujeres Que Viven members in Mexicali held another half cutout, creating a complete ribbon signifying the celebration of breast cancer awareness month on both sides of the border.
“There are a lot of events about breast cancer around the Imperial County, but this is a different event. We want to unite our communities with Mexico and we want to unite all the agencies, survivors and families. We want them to know they are not alone and they have resources at hand that can help,” said Buelna.