Mexico City illuminates its most emblematic monument, el Ángel de la Independencia, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month [2]
In 2006, it was confirmed that breast cancer was the first cause of death among Mexican women. For this reason, 20 of the most emblematic monuments of Mexico City were illuminated with pink lights this month of October. In the context of what is referred to in Spanish as the Breast Cancer Total Care Program, the illumination of these buildings and monuments is a symbolic reminder to Mexican women that they schedule a mammogram screening or complete a breast self test.
Mexico City’s goal for Breast Cancer Awareness 2011 is to give 50,000 free diagnostic mammograms [3] throughout the city. An additional goal is to construct a culture of ‘self-care’ and ‘prevention’, especially when it comes to the detection and initial treatment of breast cancer, something that is also being promoted by the Mexican organization, Red Rosa (Pink Network).
Mícher Camarena, the director of the Women’s Institute in Mexico City, highlighted at the inauguration that the Breast Cancer Total Care Program has helped hundreds of thousands of women that are 40 years or older. Since the first free exam in 2007, the lives of 569 women whose mammogram results came back positive have been saved.
In an event inaugurated by the Mayor of Mexico City, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, the most emblematic monument of the city has been illuminated pink: El Ángel de la Independencia [4]. At the same opening event, Marcelo Ebrard reminded Mexico City inhabitants that since the beginning of his administration his goal has been to convert Mexico City’s free breast cancer tests into the most widely available in Mexico and Latin America.
List of the Mexico City monuments illuminated until November 1:
1. Ángel de la Independencia
2. Diana Cazadora
3. Torre del Caballito
4. Monumento a la Revolución
5. Monumento a la Madre
6. Alameda Central
7. Hemiciclo a Juárez
8. Santo Domingo Square
9. Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Monument
10. City Theater
11. Frida Kahlo Museum
12. Torre Mayor
13. Estadio Universitario
14. Palace of Fine Arts
15. National Conservatory
16. “Santa María la Ribera” Moorish Kiosk
17. The four buildings of the Legislative Assembly