Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Returns to the Rocky Mountains on June 25-26

Thousands of Participants from Colorado and Across the U.S. are “In It to End It” in the 7th Annual Weekend-long Event to Raise Life-saving Funds and Breast Cancer Awareness

Denver, CO, June 1, 2011 — The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer returns for the seventh year to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains on June 25-26. The Avon Walk brings together thousands of women and men, including breast cancer survivors, dedicated to raising significant funds and awareness for the breast cancer cause. Last year’s Avon Walk Rocky Mountains raised more than $2.6 million and attracted more than 1,250 participants from 43 states, and the United Kingdom, including 135 breast cancer survivors.

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 raise at least $1,800 for the breast cancer cause. The Avon Foundation for Women distributes funds raised to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations, including the University of Colorado, the Denver Health & Hospital Corporation, Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, and The Children’s Treehouse Foundation. The Avon Foundation for Women has awarded more than $10.5 million to organizations and institutions in the Rocky Mountains area. 

The Avon Walk Rocky Mountains, the fifth of nine walks in the 2011 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series, begins Saturday, June 25 with an inspirational Opening Ceremony at the Keystone Resorts’ Marmot Lot, including an announcement of funds raised. After the ceremony, walkers begin the first portion of their walk of either a marathon or a marathon and a half through the Rocky Mountains, supported by an all-volunteer crew and cheered by family and supporters along the route.

All participants have their own unique and personal stories to tell. Among those in the Avon Walk Rocky Mountains, are Charissa Smaniego of Aurora, CO, who at 16 is one of the youngest walkers; Ellen Collins of Denver, CO, a one-year survivor and team captain of “Ellen’s Flock of Angels;” and Brooke Hupp of Loveland, CO, a breast cancer survivor who will be participating in her second Avon Walk. All walkers unite throughout the weekend to become one, sharing their triumphs and tribulations, while working towards the common goal of putting an end to breast cancer.

After a full day of walking on Saturday, participants, including walkers and crew, spend the night at the “Wellness Village” at Summit County Middle School, which features two-person pink 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 and a spa zone with mini back and foot massages.

On Sunday, June 26, walkers complete their final 13.1 miles, celebrating their achievement at the Closing Ceremony on Main Street in Breckenridge, CO, with thousands of family and friends. During the ceremony, the Avon Foundation for Women will award new grants to breast cancer organizations in the Rocky Mountains area to ensure funds immediately benefit the community.

For interview requests, more information, or to register or donate, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 888-541-WALK.  For continuous updates, follow us on Twitter at “avonwalks,” or visit our Facebook page.

About the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series 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 nearly $400 million through the dedication of more than 145,000 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 raised almost $700 million for research and advancing access to care, regardless of a person’s ability to pay.
 
The complete 2011 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer schedule includes: Houston (April 16-17), Washington, DC (April 30-May 1), Boston (May 14-15), Chicago (June 4-5), Rocky Mountains, CO (June 25 – 26), San Francisco (July 9 – 10), Santa Barbara (September 17-18), New York City (October 15-16), and Charlotte, NC (October 22-23).

About the 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 2010, Avon global philanthropy has donated more than $800 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.  

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer thanks National Sponsor: Reebok; Official Sponsors: Genentech BioOncology, Lend Us Your Ear powered by TheVoiceLibrary.net, OtterBox and Orion Trading; Opening Ceremony Breakfast Sponsor: Sysco; Local Official Sponsor: GroupOn, Local Supporting Sponsor: UHAUL

Remember, early detection helps save lives.  Talk to your doctor about your risk, risk-reduction strategies and what age to start mammography. For more breast cancer information and resources, visit cancer.org or 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 (www.twitter.com/avonwalks).

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