In commemoration of International Breast Cancer Day, the Baja California government delivered external breast prostheses to cancer survivors in Mexicali and San Felipe. The initiative aims to support women in their physical and emotional recovery while improving their overall quality of life following cancer treatment.
Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda led the distribution ceremony, commending the resilience of the women who have battled the disease and emphasizing the critical need for compassionate and comprehensive healthcare during their recovery.
“In Baja California, we recognize that women are the foundation of our families and our communities. While women often care for and support everyone around them, they also deserve to be cared for, heard, and supported. Our administration is dedicated to giving healthcare a human face, ensuring that care doesn’t end when treatment stops, and that no woman has to walk the path to recovery alone,” the governor said.
Mavis Olmeda García, President of the DIF Baja California System, stressed the importance of public health initiatives that prioritize dignity, human rights, and holistic care for women.
She noted that the program represents a nearly $450,000-peso investment carried out in partnership with the Federal Public Charity. The hypoallergenic external prostheses are provided free of charge to help recipients regain confidence and self-esteem, while also restoring physical posture and balance.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, survivor Eva Lemus Medrano shared her personal journey following her diagnosis two years ago. Expressing gratitude to state leadership and healthcare partners, she urged women across the region to prioritize their health and prioritize their care.
State authorities also highlighted ongoing early-detection efforts led by mobile health caravans, which perform more than 25,000 free mammograms annually across Baja California, including remote areas such as Isla de Cedros.
As part of October’s breast cancer awareness activities, Health Secretary Dagoberto Valdés Juárez joined the Governor at the Tres Poderes terrace to form a symbolic human ribbon and launch a large-scale community health fair. The event offered free Pap smears under the “October is Also Turquoise” campaign, aimed at cervical cancer prevention.
Through these combined efforts, state health institutions and community organizations aim to expand access to preventative medical care and offer continuous support to women at every stage of diagnosis and recovery.
