Cancun Celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

The Governor of Quintana Roo, Roberto Borge Angulo with his wife, Mariana Zorrilla de Borge//Photo courtesy of the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau

Breast cancer is the number one cause of death among women in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo and several events benefiting the fight against breast cancer have taken place this month in Cancun. Roberto Borge Angulo, governor of Quintana Roo, started off the month by kicking a pink soccer ball at an Atlante soccer game to show his support for those suffering from breast cancer, as well as breast cancer survivors. The annual Uxmal Muna Race also took place on October 1 to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It was sponsored by ASUR, the airport group that owns the Cancun International Airport.


Grupo Desafio A.C., run by Lillian Alarcon, has spent the last five years working to support other women who are survivors of the disease. Cancer survivors founded it and they arrange self-awareness groups for men and women who suffer or have suffered from all forms of cancer. The organization also generates awareness about the importance of self-examination and early prevention and gives educational talks to companies and institutions for free. Grupo Desafio recently hosted a conference where Dr. Gerardo Castorena, a surgical oncologist, discussed his book, 20 Answers for Breast Cancer.


The Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau participated in the 9th Annual Crusade Against Breast Cancer with the “Walk for Life” Challenge. It took place in the famous Cancun hotel zone and participants gathered to form a life-size human pink ribbon after the 4.5 km walk. The race was then followed by the Swaroski-sponsored event, “Pink Hope”. Grupo Desafio donated items that featured art by Alan Vázquez, an artist known for an ecological awareness in his works. Proceeds of the event benefited Grupo Desafio.


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