Decatur, Texas – September 29, 2003 – Civic leaders in communities across the United States will join together in communities across the U.S. on Saturday, October 18, 2003 to “paint the town pink.” The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade and The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Center are proud to announce the second annual Pink Line Project: Saving Lives, Saving Communities, a nationwide grassroots initiative to help raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer.

The cornerstone of the Pink Line Project – which was launched as a pilot program in 19 communities in 2002 -- will be community events in more than 35 participating cities across the U.S. The events will assemble local Avon Representatives, Main Street volunteers, community health organizations, school groups, local merchants, private citizens, and public officials.

In Decatur, TX, a proclamation will be read declaring October 18, 2003 as Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Day, after which a pink line will be created with balloons at the Decatur Courthouse, on the corner of Main Street and State Street. The community also plans to organize other unique interactive, educational and health-related public activities around the ceremonial proceedings to showcase their city’s involvement in the nationwide day of commitment. These activities include the pinning of a pink ribbon on the crepe myrtle tree planted last year by the courthouse, to recognize the lives that have been touched by breast cancer. Each activity will incorporate 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, including 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.

“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.”

“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.”

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: The committee includes: Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senator John Breaux (D-LA), 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).

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.