Eighth Annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Returns to Chicago on June 5-6
Thousands of Participants to Walk 39.3 Miles in the Fight Against Breast Cancer; Suze Orman to Report Live from Avon Walk on Ustream on Sunday, June 6
New York, NY, June 1, 2010— The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer returns for the eighth year to the Chicago area on June 5-6, bringing together thousands of women and men, including breast cancer survivors, dedicated to raising 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 Chicago raised $7 million to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, drawing 3,200 participants and crew from 38 states and Washington, D.C., including 287 survivors. In total, the Avon Foundation for Women has awarded more than $42.5 million to organizations and institutions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin
Suze Orman, Chicago’s hometown star, financial expert and Avon Foundation Special Ambassador, will celebrate her birthday weekend at the Avon Walk Chicago and will report live from the Walk through Ustream on Sunday, June 6 from 2-3 pm CST/3-4 pm EST. Viewers can chat with Suze live at http://www.ustream.tv/suzelive. (Details about embedding Suze’s Ustream chat are below.)
“I am so excited to celebrate my birthday weekend at the Avon Walk Chicago,” said Orman. “June 5 is my birthday and my wish this year is that instead of gifts, instead of cards, that people donate to my fundraising effort for the Avon Walk for which I have set a goal of raising $100,000.” To donate to Suze’s Avon Walk fundraising effort, visit www.avonwalk.org/suzeorman.
The Avon Walk Chicago is the fourth of nine 2010 Avon Walks, following successful events in Houston, TX, Washington, D.C., and Boston, MA. The Chicago Walk begins Saturday, June 5, with an inspirational Opening Ceremony at Soldier Field, including the announcement of funds raised. The season nine Biggest Loser winner, Michael Ventrella, from Bartlett, Ill., who will be walking with his mother, Maria, will present the Avon Foundation with a $10,000 donation at Opening Ceremony.
Walkers have the choice of walking a half or full marathon through the Chicagoland 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 Warren Park, 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, June 6, walkers complete their final 13.1 miles, celebrating their achievement at the Closing Ceremony back at Soldier Field with thousands of family and friends. Suze Orman will then award new Avon Foundation for Women grants to breast cancer organizations in the Chicago 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 Chicago are Patti Gajewski from Aslip, IL, who is walking in her eighth Avon Walk Chicago in memory of her sister, Maureen, who lost her battle to breast cancer in 2002; Team Maureen includes 70 members, both walkers and crew. Also walking is Tamara Habib, 24, from Chicago, a 6-month breast cancer survivor. Patti and Tamara unite throughout the weekend with thousands of walkers, crew and volunteers to become one, sharing their triumphs and challenges, while working towards the shared 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 $328 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.
Information about Suze Orman Live Ustream Chat
Suze Orman will report live from the Walk through Ustream on Sunday, June 6 from 2-3 pm CST/3-4 pm EST..
To chat live with Suze: http://www.ustream.tv/suzelive
To donate to Suze’s Avon Walk fundraising effort: www.avonwalk.org/suzeorman
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The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer thanks National Sponsors: Reebok and Genentech BioOncology; and Official Sponsors: Tomboy Tools, Yoga Journal and Otterbox.
Remember: early detection can help save lives. Discuss breast cancer screening with your doctor. Make informed decisions about what age to start mammography. Get to know your risk and risk reduction strategies. For more breast cancer information and resources, visit www.cancer.org (keyword breast cancer) or www.avonfoundation.org, where you can access free printable breast cancer informational literature.
