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-Editorial
With an emotional display of unity and solidarity, the Fundación Mujeres que Viven, in partnerships with the Mexican Consulate in Calexico, held the annual Lazo Rosa Binacional Oct. 17, symbolizing the bond of sisterhood between Calexico, El Centro, Imperial Valley, and Mexicali in the fight against breast cancer.
Participants gathered at the Mexican Consulate in Calexico, located at 408 Heber Avenue, before walking to First Street, where they met at the border fence with Mujeres que Viven members walking simultaneously on the Mexicali side. Both groups, dressed in pink, joined efforts to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention and early detection.
The ceremony was attended by Rocío Vázquez Álvarez, Consul General of Mexico in Calexico; Dr. Mavis Olmeda García, Director of DIF Estatal; Ana Lucía Murillo Villalobos, President of Fundación Mujeres que Viven; Manuela Leticia Isabel Ramos, Director of the Mexicali Women’s Institute; and Patricia Pacho Ruiz, Executive Director of Fundación Mujeres que Viven.
Also present were members of the media and the Rositas Voluntarias, whose continued support strengthens this meaningful cause.
During her remarks, Ana Lucía Murillo Villalobos emphasized the symbolic importance of the event:
“This bond between our two countries is a symbol of empathy and solidarity with breast cancer patients and of the importance of women’s health. Breast cancer knows no borders, but neither does generosity. Thank you for walking alongside breast cancer patients and remembering that the goal is to live.”
Consul Rocío Vázquez Álvarez highlighted the importance of binational collaboration in causes that strengthen the community, while Ramos and Pacho Ruiz reaffirmed their commitment to continue promoting women’s health and well-being through joint actions.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 310,000 women in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2025, and more than 43,000 women are projected to die from the disease. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the U.S., representing roughly 30 percent of all new cancer cases in women each year. Early detection through mammograms, clinical breast exams, and self-checks continues to be the most effective way to reduce mortality rates.
Experts emphasize that prevention begins with healthy lifestyle choices — maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding tobacco use. For women diagnosed with breast cancer, treatment options vary depending on the stage and type of cancer, and may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted drug treatments. Advances in personalized medicine have significantly improved survival rates, giving more women the opportunity to recover and live healthy, fulfilling lives.
The ceremony concluded with words of gratitude to local authorities, media, and the Rositas, along with special recognition for the Banda de Guerra and Honor Guard from CONALEP, who participated in this heartfelt event.
