Avon Foundation for Women Announces Avon Walk for Breast Cancer’s 10th Birthday Season

Walks to Take Place in Nine Cities Across the United States in 2012

NEW YORK, NY (December 28, 2011) – It’s time to dust off your walking shoes because the 2012 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer season is here! Today, the Avon Foundation for Women announced the 2012 Avon Walk schedule, launching the event’s 10th Birthday season—a time to reflect on the great achievements in breast cancer research and care over the last decade, while continuing to take strides towards creating a world without breast cancer.

The Avon Foundation for Women is thrilled to launch the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer’s 10th Birthday season with nine unique Walks across the country. We are truly inspired by the passion and enthusiasm we’ve seen in our participants over the last ten years—and we’re thankful for their commitment to end this devastating disease,” said Avon Foundation for Women President Carol Kurzig. “The funds raised during our 10th Birthday Walk season will enable us to continue awarding grants to deserving local and national organizations that provide access to screening and care for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, as well as accelerate breast cancer research.”

During the 2011 Avon Walk season, nearly 18,000 participants supported by hundreds of thousands of donors raised more than $45 million for local, regional and national breast cancer organizations. On stage at each of the nine Walks, the Avon Foundation immediately awarded 76 grants to local and national breast cancer organizations and 192 additional grants were awarded throughout the year. Since the Avon Walks began in 2003, they have raised more than $423 million through the dedication of nearly 160,000 participants, including women and men ranging in age from their teens to those in their 80s, from every walk of life.

In the last decade, Avon Walkers have walked a total of 5.3 million miles—the equivalent of 210 times around the earth. All of that walking and fund-raising has enabled the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade to fund nearly 2.7 million mammograms for under-insured women in the U.S. and 1,800 grants for breast cancer research, clinical care and support services for those who need it most.

The Avon Walk series comprises nine non-competitive weekend fund-raising walks for all fitness levels. Each walker is required to raise at least $1,800 in donations and to prepare physically for the event, which offers the option of walking a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) over a weekend. Among the walkers’ ranks in 2011 were men and women of all ages, from nearly every state and nine countries, including more than 1,800 breast cancer survivors.  This large, diverse group was united by their shared desire to eradicate breast cancer and help those touched by the disease.

Often described by participants as a “life-changing weekend,” the Avon Walk kicks off with an inspiring opening ceremony on Saturday morning after which participants have the choice of walking 13.1 or 26.2 miles – a half or full marathon . Walkers and volunteer crew can spend the night at the Avon Walk’s “Wellness Village,” a “tent city” complete with pink two-person tents, hot showers, hot meals, entertainment, and activities. On Sunday, walkers complete another 13.1 miles that culminate in a poignant closing ceremony and the presentation of local grants.

The 2012 season begins on February 4 with Avon Walk 10th Birthday Parties in all nine Avon Walk cities. These Birthday Parties are a great way to get answers to all of your Avon Walk questions, hear from local beneficiaries, meet fellow participants, and learn more about teams, fundraising and training. For more information or to register for an Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 888-540-WALK.

The complete 2012 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer schedule includes:  Houston (April 21-22), Washington, DC (May 5-6), Boston (May 19-20), Chicago (June 2-3), Rocky Mountains, CO (June 23-24), San Francisco (July 7-8), Santa Barbara (September 22-23), New York City (October 20-21), and Charlotte, NC (October 27-28).

About the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series, which recognizes its 10th Birthday in 2012, is a project of the Avon Foundation for Women, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Since its launch in 2003, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series has raised more than $423 million through the dedication of nearly 160,000 participating women and men from across the country, including hundreds of Avon Associates and Representatives. The Avon Foundation awards the funds raised to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations to support breast cancer awareness and education, screening and diagnosis, access to treatment, support services, and scientific research. The Walks take place in nine cities, covering 39 miles in two days, and raise significant awareness and funds to fight breast cancer. The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Series is the largest fund-raising event for the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. Since the Crusade launched in 1992, Avon breast cancer programs in more than 50 countries have donated $740 million for research and advancing access to care, regardless of a person's ability to pay.

Avon Foundation for Women
The Avon Foundation for Women, the world's largest corporate-affiliated philanthropy focused on issues that matter most to women, was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women. Through 2011, Avon global philanthropy has donated more than $860 million in more than 50 countries for causes most important to women. Today, Avon philanthropy focuses its funding on breast cancer research and access to care through the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and efforts to reduce domestic and gender violence through its Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program. Avon also responds generously to provide support for relief and recovery efforts in times of major natural disasters and emergencies. 

For more information or to register for an Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 800-541-WALK.

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The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer thanks National Sponsor: Reebok; Official Sponsor: OtterBox

Remember, early detection helps save lives.  Talk to your doctor about your risk, risk-reduction strategies and about what age to start mammography. For more breast cancer information and resources, visit www.cancer.org or www.avonfoundation.org. And don't forget, men can get breast cancer too.

Follow the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer on Facebook (www.facebook.com/avonwalks) and Twitter (twitter.com/avonwalks).