Baseball Teams Collaborate for a Noble Cause
Culiacán, Sinaloa, July 8, 2025. Thanks to the support of Sinaloa’s four professional baseball teams—Tomateros de Culiacán, Cañeros de Los Mochis, Venados de Mazatlán, and Algodoneros de Guasave—the fourth edition of the Welfare Baseball Quadriennial by Sinaloa’s DIF system will take place on October 11 and 12. This year, the event aims to support pediatric kidney transplants for children with chronic renal insufficiency.
Exhibition Games to Raise Funds for Kidney Transplants
The funds collected from these exhibition games between the four Sinaloa baseball teams will cover high-specialty procedures, making them free for eligible children. These exhibition matches will also serve as preparation for the teams before the start of the Pacific League’s baseball season.
- The exhibition games on October 11 and 12 will raise funds for free pediatric kidney transplant procedures.
Governor and DIF President Express Gratitude to Baseball Teams
Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and DIF Sinaloa President Eneyda Rocha Ruiz met with the directors of the four Sinaloa baseball teams to announce the event. They expressed their gratitude for the teams’ continued support in previous editions and their commitment to further collaborate on important causes, such as children’s health.
Rocha Moya thanked the directors for their generosity, stating, “Together, we are making this possible. I am very grateful for your kindness to each of the baseball clubs.”
Eneyda Rocha Ruiz also reiterated her appreciation, reminding the directors of their successful collaboration in the past. In 2022, the Quadriennial enabled 105 children to undergo open-heart surgery. In 2023, the cause was childhood diabetes, with 194 children receiving treatment, including 10 who received insulin pumps.
In 2024, the focus was on addressing visual impairments, with 50,000 graduated lenses distributed among 50,000 children and 53 surgeries performed to correct severe vision problems like cataracts, strabismus, pupil issues, and botox/prosthetic eye treatments.
Historical Kidney Transplant Aim in Pediatric Hospital
DIF Sinaloa President Eneyda Rocha Ruiz emphasized the significance of achieving Sinaloa’s first pediatric kidney transplant, which would be a historic milestone and strengthen the hospital’s existing services, including pediatric hemodialysis.
“One of our biggest dreams is to perform the first-ever kidney transplant in the Pediatric Hospital. There has never been a transplant here, so our goal is to have the necessary conditions, with patients ready and permissions secured. We aim to facilitate the Quadriennial so that the Pediatric Hospital can conduct its inaugural pediatric kidney transplant,” Rocha Ruiz explained.
Secretary of Health Supports the Cause
Secretary of Health Cuitláhuac González Galindo highlighted the importance of this kidney transplant cause, as it will further establish Sinaloa’s reputation in organ transplants. In 2024, the state performed 24 kidney and 11 cornea transplants.
Baseball Team Directors Reiterate Their Commitment
Each team’s director—Héctor Ley (Tomateros), Ismael Barros (Venados), Joaquín Vega (Cañeros), and Luis Fernando García (Algodoneros)—reaffirmed their dedication to supporting DIF Sinaloa’s noble causes for the benefit of Sinaloa’s children.
“We are grateful for being considered and for knowing that the funds will be well-invested. We are proud to be part of this initiative, and we are impressed by the positive impact on so many children,” said Ismael Barros Cebreros, Venados’ director.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of the Quadriennial? The event aims to raise funds for pediatric kidney transplants in Sinaloa.
- Which baseball teams are participating? Tomateros de Culiacán, Cañeros de Los Mochis, Venados de Mazatlán, and Algodoneros de Guasave.
- What procedures will be covered by the funds raised? High-specialty kidney transplant procedures for children with chronic renal insufficiency.
- What was the focus of previous Quadriennial events? Previous causes included open-heart surgery, childhood diabetes, and visual impairments.
- What is the significance of achieving Sinaloa’s first pediatric kidney transplant? It would be a historic milestone, strengthening the Pediatric Hospital’s services and establishing Sinaloa’s reputation in organ transplants.
