Lazo Rosa Binational Walk Unites Calexico and Mexicali in Breast Cancer Awareness

-Editorial

Led by the Calexico High School drumline, participants dressed in pink took to the streets of Calexico for the annual Lazo Rosa Binational Walk, bringing together communities from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border to commemorate International Breast Cancer Awareness Day, observed Oct. 19.

Organized by the Mexican Consulate in Calexico as part of the 26th Binational Health Week celebration, the event brought together representatives from government agencies, community organizations, health institutions, and other groups throughout Imperial Valley and Mexicali.

The annual walk is one of the major community activities associated with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, drawing participants who gather to show solidarity with breast cancer patients, survivors, and their families.

Rocío Vázquez Álvarez, head consul of the Mexican Consulate in Calexico, said the annual event has been organized in partnership with Fundación Mujeres que Viven  (Women That Live) in Mexicali for more than 15 years, emphasizing the importance of cross-border cooperation in addressing breast cancer.

“We come together at the border fence to demonstrate that awareness and the fight against breast cancer have no borders and no barriers,” Vázquez Álvarez said.

She said the gathering also serves as a reminder of the importance of preventive health care, particularly among Hispanic women who may face challenges accessing regular medical screenings.

Vázquez Álvarez expressed concern that some women in Mexico and Hispanic communities in the United States do not regularly undergo recommended medical screenings, potentially reducing opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment.

She noted that approximately one in eight women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, underscoring how the disease can affect families and communities regardless of nationality.

“The idea is to raise our voices, generate greater awareness and encourage everyone to come together in the fight against breast cancer,” she said.

Adriana Buelna, who participated in the binational gathering, emphasized that breast cancer awareness should extend beyond October because the disease continues to affect individuals and families throughout the year.

“I believe awareness should not be limited to October because this is a disease that is very present in our community,” Buelna said. “These walks are meant to raise awareness about the importance of getting checked every year and seeking medical attention if we notice something different in our bodies.”

Buelna said early diagnosis can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes and stressed the importance of supporting breast cancer survivors and people currently undergoing treatment.

“An early diagnosis can change a life and provide another opportunity,” she said.

She also mentioned the participation of agencies throughout Imperial Valley, noting that the organizations involved share a commitment to connecting residents with health care resources and assistance.

“We have several agencies from Imperial Valley united in this movement, in this walk, to raise awareness about the importance of getting checked and receiving timely medical screenings,” Buelna said. 

She emphasized that people without medical insurance should know community organizations may offer free health services and assistance.

“Above all, we want people to know they are not alone,” Buelna said. “There are agencies that support them, there are free services even if they don’t have medical insurance, and we want the community to know that we are here for them, to hold their hand.”

The march began at the Mexican Consulate in Calexico, where participants gathered before heading south through the city’s streets, accompanied by the rhythmic performances of the Calexico High School marching drumline.

The procession continued toward Andrade Avenue, where participants turned left and proceeded to the border fence near Second Street and Andrade Avenue.

On the Mexican side of the international boundary, representatives of Mujeres que Viven, a Mexicali-based organization dedicated to supporting women affected by breast cancer, awaited the delegation alongside the banda de guerra from the National College of Professional Technical Education, known as CONALEP.

On the Mexican side of the border, Ana Lucía Murillo, president of Mujeres que Viven, said the annual binational gathering serves as a reminder to women facing breast cancer that they have the support of their communities.

Murillo said that the event is intended to show women diagnosed with the disease that they are not alone in their fight against breast cancer, highlighting the importance of solidarity, emotional support, and cooperation between organizations on both sides of the border.