Pink footballs part of breast cancer campaign in Mexico

MEXICO CITY - Pink footballs will be used in the Mexican football championship in October as part of an innovative campaign against breast cancer, the Mexican Football Federation said.

The pink balls will be used in 36 matches between Oct 2 - Nov 1, in rounds 11-14, of the Mexican Apertura 2009.

“Across the world, in 2007, there were 548,000 deaths (from) breast cancer, and in Mexico there were 4,581 deaths that year, so early detection is required,” said Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova here Thursday.

Health Ministry officials are to attend those matches to provide women at the stadiums with advice on prevention and detection.

Also, 30,000 pink footballs are to be sold, with 10 percent of the proceeds going to the fight against breast cancer.