NEW YORK – September 28, 2003 – Mayors, city officials and citizens in cities and towns across the nation will join together on Saturday, October 18, 2003 to “paint the town pink,” as the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade and The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Center host the second annual Pink Line Project: Saving Lives, Saving Communities, a nationwide grassroots initiative to help raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer and to highlight the value of saving communities through historic preservation.

On this one day, Avon representatives, Main Street volunteers, public officials, community health organizations, school groups, local merchants and private citizens will join together in downtown “main streets” for a day of remembrance for lives lost, celebration of community spirit and awareness of two important causes. Together, these communities will “create a pink line across America” to help in the fight against breast cancer and to help generate support for local preservation efforts.

Since last year’s pilot program in 19 communities, the initiative, which centers on creating a “pink line” down the middle of Main Streets across the nation, has expanded to more than 35 communities, intending to bring together thousands more citizens nationwide in support of the breast cancer cause.

To launch this year’s Pink Line Project, an official “Pink Line Committee” has been created to further underscore the importance of ongoing efforts needed to eradicate the disease. The Avon Crusade and the National Trust have enlisted a prestigious committee of Congressional leaders who have demonstrated their support for the breast cancer and historic preservations causes to lend their names to the first “Pink Line Committee” in support of this important initiative. Among these are: Senator John Breaux (D-LA), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Senator Debbie Stabenow , Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX), Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (D-OR), Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Congresswoman Sue Myrick (R-NC) and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

“The Pink Line Project is a very visible way of reminding us that breast cancer touches every community – large and small – while also highlighting the significant contributions that are being made at the most basic, grassroots level in our continuous fight against this devastating disease,” said Kathleen Walas, president, Avon Foundation. “For more than a decade Avon has been committed to the breast cancer cause, and we welcome the support of communities and citizens across the country.”

Avon is partnering with the National Trust as part of their shared commitment to save lives and save communities.

“For more than 50 years the National Trust has been working to help communities save America’s historic and cultural resources,” said Richard Moe, president, National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Nothing is more precious to the character and strength of our communities than our grandmothers, mothers, husbands, uncles and sisters. That’s why the National Trust is delighted to again join with the Avon Crusade to host the Pink Line Project in recognition of the efforts of those fighting breast cancer and to underscore the need to continue that fight.”

The Pink Line Project
The cornerstone of the Pink Line Project community events will be a ceremony led by Avon Representatives, Main Street volunteers and public officials. The mayor or another public official of each participating community is expected to read a proclamation declaring October 18, 2003 as Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Day in each of their respective towns, after which a pink line will be created down the community’s main street.

All participating Main Street communities will have this central activity in common, but each is encouraged to organize other unique interactive, educational and health-related public activities prior to or following these proceedings to showcase their city’s involvement in the nationwide day of commitment to saving lives and saving communities. Some of these activities will include planting of pink flowers in community spaces and pink ribbon bake-offs – with each activity incorporating the pink ribbon, recognized as the universal symbol of the breast cancer cause.

Avon Sales Representatives also will have the opportunity to distribute breast cancer information and sell Avon Breast Cancer Crusade fundraising products, including an umbrella, cosmetics case which comes with a free lipstick and a rose-scented candle. All 100% of the net proceeds of these products help fund five areas of the breast cancer cause: awareness, screening and diagnosis, treatment, support services and scientific research. Funds raised are managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation, an accredited 501(c)(3) public charity.

Avon Breast Cancer Crusade
The mission of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade is to fund access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on reaching medically underserved women, including minorities, the poor, elderly, under- and uninsured women. The first Avon breast cancer program began in the U.K. in 1992, and has expanded to 50 countries. Funds are raised through a wide variety of special events, product sales, walks, runs, concerts and other cause-marketing initiatives worldwide. The focus is on reaching medically underserved women, including minorities, the poor, elderly, under- and uninsured women, with a mission to fund access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. Through 2002, the Avon Crusade has returned an unprecedented $250,000,000 to breast cancer research and care organizations worldwide. Beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based non-profit breast health programs. For more information, visit www.avonfoundation.org.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable. Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the Trust provides leadership, education and advocacy to save America’s diverse historic places and revitalize communities. Its Washington, DC headquarters staff, six regional offices and 21 historic sites work with the Trust’s quarter-million members and thousands of local community groups in all 50 states. For more information, visit the National Trust’s web site at www.nationaltrust.org.

Participating 2003 Pink Line Project communities: ( * indicates communities that also participated in 2002)
 

Alabama Dothan* California Davis Colorado Canon City Connecticut New London Florida Haines City Illinois Pittsfield Indiana Marion Rushville Kansas McPherson* Ottawa Wamego

Kentucky Elkhorn City Versailles Louisiana Natchitoches* St. Francisville* Maine Bath Maryland Frederick Mississippi Macon Southaven Missouri Columbia New Jersey Boonton Westfield North Carolina Albemarle

Ohio Norwood Toledo Oklahoma Collinsville El Reno Pennsylvania Charleroi Tamaqua Texas Decatur* Washington Wenatchee* West Virginia Mannington Ripley*