Reese Witherspoon to Attend Ninth Annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer New York on October 16

Reese Witherspoon to Attend Ninth Annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer New York on October 16

Thousands of participants to walk 39.3 miles on October 15-16 through New York City in the fight against breast cancer

New York, October 3, 2011— Reese Witherspoon, Honorary Chairman of the Avon Foundation for Women, will be joining Avon CEO Andrea Jung and thousands of Avon Walk participants and their family and friends at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer closing ceremony in New York on Sunday, October 16. The Avon Walk is returning for the ninth year to New York on October 15-16, bringing 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 for Breast Cancer New York raised more than $9.4 million and attracted over 3,900 participants from 46 states and Washington, D.C. – as well as the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada and Bermuda – including 420 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 Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Center at New York Presbyterian-Columbia University Medical Center, Newark Beth Israel Hospital, Metropolitan Hospital, Brookdale Hospital Medical Center and the Avon Safety Net Program at Bellevue Hospital. The Avon Foundation for Women has awarded more than $52 million to organizations and institutions in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer New York, the eighth of nine walks in the 2011 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series, begins Saturday, October 15 with an inspirational Opening Ceremony at the Hudson River Park’s Pier 84. After the ceremony, walkers begin the first portion of their walk of either a marathon or a marathon and a half through New York City 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 New York, are Marion Lopez of Pearl River, NY, a nine-year breast cancer survivor and eight-time Avon Walk participant; Mary Kaye Desilva of Canisteo, NY, a two-year breast cancer survivor who will be participating in the walk from her wheel chair with her husband David as her personal crew member; and Jerilyn Bell of New York, NY, a breast cancer survivor and second year participant. 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 Randall’s Island. The Wellness Village 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, October 16, walkers complete their final 13.1 miles, celebrating their achievement at the Closing Ceremony with Reese Witherspoon and Avon CEO Andrea Jung at Hudson River Park’s Pier 84, with thousands of family and friends. During the ceremony, Witherspoon will present new Avon Foundation for Women grants to breast cancer organizations in the Tri-State 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 more than $400 million through the dedication of more than 150,000 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.

Registration is open for the 2012 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer season, including Houston (April 21 – 22), Washington DC (May 5 – 6), Boston (May 19 – 20), Chicago (June 2 – 3), Rocky Mountains (June 23 – 24), San Francisco (July 7 – 8), Santa Barbara (Sept 22 – 23), New York (Oct 20 – 21), and Charlotte (Oct 27 – 28).

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, OtterBox and Orion Trading; Local Sponsors: Hudson River Park Trust, Groupon,  Au Bon Pain, Seamless; and Medical Sponsor: New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

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 (twitter.com/avonwalks).

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