"Avon Walk for Breast Cancer" to Launch in 2003; New Event Series to Raise Funds and Awareness in Eight Cities Marks 10th Year of Avon Breast Cancer Crusade in the U.S.

Health/Medical Editors & Lifestyle Writers

NEW YORK--(BW HealthWire)--Aug. 12, 2002

The Avon Foundation today announced the launch of "Avon Walk for Breast Cancer," a new series of fundraising events to be held in eight cities in 2003 between April and September.

The unique weekend events offer participants the choice of walking either a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon plus a half marathon (a total of 39.3 miles) over the course of two days.

"The launch of these new events is the perfect way to celebrate the Avon Foundation's Breast Cancer Crusade's 10th anniversary in the U.S.," stated Kathleen Walas, President of the Avon Foundation. Despite the last decade's advancements in treatment and early detection, it is still estimated that one woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes, and every fourteen minutes one dies of the disease. "The Avon Walks will heighten awareness of the need to continue the breast cancer fight," Walas explains, "and will bring together people over the country to raise significant funds for medical research, clinical care, support services, education and early detection programs with the ultimate goal of eradicating the disease".

Cities slated for the 2003 Avon Walks for Breast Cancer are: Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, New York, Portland OR, San Francisco and Washington, DC.

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Experience

The Avon Walks are structured to be very inclusive, so that as many people as possible can participate. Participants will have a choice of distances (the choice can either be made in advance or during the walk) and will only be required to spend one night camping out and one weekend away from home.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer events will begin with participants leaving downtown areas on a Saturday morning and traveling along a 26.2 mile route towards a "Wellness Village", their home-away-from-home for the night, which will be completely set up and waiting for their arrival. Those choosing single marathon-over-two-days option will finish their first day's walk at the 13.1 mile mark, and will then be transported by bus to the village. Walkers who choose the marathon-and-a-half will continue on to complete the entire 26.2 mile route the first day.

At the Wellness Village, walkers will arrive to the welcoming arms and cheers of their co-walkers and crew. Once inside the village, they will find an assortment of enjoyable and relevant activities, including educational presentations on breast cancer and other health and wellness issues. The village will also provide the essentials such as tents, hot showers, food and medical services.

On Sunday, the second day, all walkers will complete the final 13.1 mile route back to the city from where they began, culminating in a special ceremony. Throughout the weekend, the walkers will be taken care of by a dedicated crew of volunteers to see to their every need and safety.

Families and friends will be welcomed and encouraged to cheer the walkers along the route and visit their loved ones in the village. Special efforts will be made throughout the training season and during the events to include the communities through which the walkers will travel.

Each participating walker will raise a minimum of $1,750, and will have access to a comprehensive support system to help them with fundraising and training. Walkers will also be provided with educational information about breast cancer and women's health issues, and learn of those affected by breast cancer to help them and their donors truly understand the significance of their efforts.

Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Background

The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade was launched by Avon Products Inc. in the U.S. in 1993 with the mission to fund access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved - including those who are disadvantaged, minorities, elderly, and under- or un-insured. All funds raised by the many programs of the Avon Crusade are managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity. In addition to the U.S., Avon supports programs for breast cancer in more than 45 countries worldwide and is proud to be the largest corporate supporter of the breast cancer cause. Avon Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andrea Jung has committed to reaching $250 million in total funds raised worldwide by the end of 2002, and continuing to raise funds and awareness in the future. More details on the Avon Foundation and the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade programs and beneficiaries can be found at www.avoncrusade.com.

For more information or to register, call 1-877-WALK AVON or visit www.avonwalk.org

      The schedule for 2003 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer events is:

    Washington, DC             April 26-27
    Boston                     May 3-4
    Cincinnati                 May 17-18
    Chicago                    June 7-8
    San Francisco              June 28-29
    Portland, OR               July 12-13
    Los Angeles                September 6-7
    New York                   September 20-21