New York, NY, April 28, 2010 - The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer returns for the eighth year to the Washington, D.C. area on May 1-2, bringing together thousands of women and men, including breast cancer survivors, dedicated to raising significant funds and awareness for the breast cancer cause. The Avon Walk series, which launched nationwide in 2003, offers participants a choice of walking a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) over a weekend, and requires walkers to commit to raise at least $1,800. The Avon Foundation for Women distributes funds raised to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations. Last year's Avon Walk Washington, D.C., raised $6.8 million and drew 3,000 participants from 40 states, including 271 breast cancer survivors.
The Avon Walk Washington, D.C. is the second of nine 2010 Avon Walks, following a successful season kick-off in Houston, TX. The Avon Walk Washington, D.C. begins Saturday, May 1 with an inspirational Opening Ceremony on the Washington Monument grounds, including an announcement of funds raised, after which walkers have the choice of walking a half or full marathon through the greater Washington, D.C. area, supported by an all-volunteer crew and cheered by family and supporters along the route. Walkers and crew spend the night at the "Wellness Village" at Meadowbrook Park in Chevy Chase, MD, which features two-person sleeping tents, hot showers, prepared meals, entertainment, volunteer medical services and comprehensive support services, along with leisure activities such as relaxing yoga to stretch out the muscles, a spa zone with mini-back-and-foot-massages, and "tool school 101" demonstrations from sponsor Tomboy Tools.
On Sunday, May 2, walkers complete their final 13.1 miles, celebrating their achievement at the Closing Ceremony back on the Washington Monument grounds with thousands of family and friends. The Avon Foundation for Women will award new grants to breast cancer organizations in the greater Washington, D.C. area to ensure funds immediately benefit the community.
All participants have their own unique and personal stories to tell. Among those in the Avon Walk Washington, D.C., are D.C. Councilwoman Mary Cheh, a breast cancer survivor who was in a budget hearing when she learned of her diagnosis; Gerie Voss, a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed at the young age of 26; Deb Wills of Frederick, MD, also a breast cancer survivor who was the 2009 Avon Walk D.C. top fundraiser and is the current top fundraiser for the Avon Walk DC having raised more than $65,000. All unite throughout the weekend to become one, sharing their triumphs and tribulations, while working towards the common goal of eradicating breast cancer.
About the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
The Avon Walk series is a project of the Avon Foundation for Women, a 501(c)(3) public charity; funds raised are distributed by the Foundation to advance access to care and to help find a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. On stage during the nine 2009 Avon Walk closing ceremonies, the Avon Foundation awarded more than 60 grants ranging from $5,000 to $1.25 million to leading cancer centers, research institutions and community-based organizations in the Walk regions. In addition, the Avon Foundation awarded more than 200 grants nationally throughout the year. For a complete list of Avon Foundation funding, visit www.avonfoundation.org.
In total, since the launch of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in 2003, the Walks have raised more than $320 million through the dedication of nearly 120,000 participants, including women and men ranging in age from their teens to those in their 80s, from every walk of life. These funds advance awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research, all with a focus on the medically underserved.
The complete 2010 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer schedule includes: Houston, TX (April 10-11); Washington, DC (May 1-2); Boston, MA (May 15-16); Chicago, IL (June 5-6); Rocky Mountains, CO (June 26-27); San Francisco, CA (July 10-11); Santa Barbara, CA* (September 11-12); New York, NY (October 16-17); and Charlotte, NC (October 23-24). *The Avon Walk Santa Barbara replaces the walk held in Long Beach, CA, in 2009.
For more information, or to register or donate, visit www.avonwalk.org or call
888-541-WALK.
About the Avon Foundation for Women
The Avon Foundation for Women was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women, and brings this mission to life through focus on two key issues: breast cancer and domestic violence. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992, and Avon breast cancer programs in some 50 countries have raised more than $640 million to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. Funding is awarded to beneficiaries ranging from leading cancer centers to community-based breast health programs to support five critical areas: awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research. Fundraising is through a variety of "pink ribbon" products, events, races and walks; the largest is the U.S. Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series.
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The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer thanks National Sponsors: Reebok and Genentech BioOncology; and Official Sponsors: Tomboy Tools and Yoga Journal.
Remember: early detection can help save lives. Schedule your mammogram or clinical breast exam today. For more breast cancer information and resources, visitwww.cancer.org (keyword breast cancer) or www.avonfoundation.org, where you can access free printable breast cancer informational literature.
