The Netherlands women's national football team is using its platform ahead of the home match against Canada women's national football team (28 October) to raise awareness of breast cancer. Under the slogan “Oranje voor Pink”, players will wear the Pink Ribbon and urge all women to perform regular self-examinations.
- Under the banner “Oranje voor Pink”, the team is encouraging women to conduct regular self-breast checks, emphasising early detection and the fact that about 1 in 7 women will face breast-cancer in their lifetime.
- The initiative began three years ago when physiotherapist sisters Kim and Eva Blewanus—both of whom encountered breast cancer—approached the team about leveraging its platform for awareness.
- As part of the campaign, around 200 fans who have been personally affected by breast cancer will be present in the stadium that day, and the message will also be promoted online and via social-media channels.
- The team provides a simple guide for self-checking: visually inspect the breasts in the mirror; feel each breast (including armpit/underarm) with flat hand in a firm, rotating motion; and if anything unusual is noticed, consult a doctor.
