NEW YORK (January 2004) – This year, tens of thousands of women and men will spend a weekend walking to draw attention to the breast cancer epidemic, and to help fund access to care and finding a cure in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer events.

The series of fundraising events will take place in six U.S. cities from May to October this year. Each weekend walk is non-competitive and structured for walkers of various fitness levels with a choice of completing a marathon walk (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) over the Saturday and Sunday. To register or for more information, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 1-877-WALK-AVON. The 2004 scheduled events are:
 

Washington, D.C.	May 1-2, 2004
Boston, MA	May 15-16, 2004
Chicago, IL	June 5-6, 2004
San Francisco, CA	July 10-11, 2004
Los Angeles, CA	September 11-12, 2004
New York, NY	October 2-3, 2004

The Avon Walk series is a project of the Avon Foundation and builds on the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade’s commitment of more than a decade to raising funds and awareness for the breast cancer cause. In just over 10 years, the Avon Crusade has returned more than $250,000,000 net worldwide, with funds awarded for breast cancer awareness and education, screening and diagnosis, treatment, support services and scientific research.

About The Avon Walks
Avon Walk walkers will start their trek very early on Saturday morning after an inspiring and motivating opening ceremony. Each will walk either 13.1 or 26.2 miles (half or full marathon distances) toward the Wellness Village, their home-away-from-home for the night where they can take a hot shower, enjoy a hot meal, take a yoga class, get to know their fellow walkers and receive information on breast cancer. All the essentials are provided for the participants, including two-person tents, massage therapy and comprehensive medical services.

On Sunday, all walkers follow the 13.1-mile route that takes them back to the place they started for a celebratory ceremony with family, friends and supporters. A dedicated all-volunteer crew of several hundred people supports the walkers and event throughout the entire weekend.

To participate, each walker is required to raise a minimum of $1,800 in donations to the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade. From the time they register, each walker is assigned a Walker Buddy – his or her “lifeline” – for fundraising and training help and just about any other kind of support they need. The support system also includes regularly scheduled training walks, discounts from local merchants for equipment and services, fundraising materials and an electronic message board to communicate with other participants, as well as other special programs. Funds donated to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer are managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation, an accredited 501(c)(3) public charity.

About The Avon Foundation & Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade
The Avon Foundation was founded in 1955 with a mission to improve the lives of women by supporting programs that offer economic opportunity and provide care and research for breast cancer in the U.S. and around the world.

In support of women’s health, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade 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 marketing initiatives worldwide. The focus is on reaching the medically underserved population, including minorities, the poor, elderly, under- and uninsured, with a mission to fund access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. Beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based non-profit breast health programs.

Learn More
The public is invited to attend an Avon Walk for Breast Cancer “Get Started Session,” a staff-led informational meeting about the fundraising events. These are held in all event cities and in surrounding areas; schedules are posted on the Avon Walk website at www.avonwalk.org.

To register to walk or join the crew, or to pledge financial support for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 1-877-WALK AVON for more information. To learn more about the Avon Foundation, visit www.avonfoundation.org.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer proudly recognizes returning national sponsors: Health magazine and RYKÄ, footwear for women.

RYKÄ is the only performance athletic footwear brand in the world dedicated specifically to women, taking into account the anatomical features unique to women's feet. RYKÄ designs and develops leading performance fitness products for many sports, with products available internationally.

Published by Time Inc., Health is America’s most-trusted health and wellness magazine, giving women the most credible, useful and up-to-date information and inspiration on how to live a healthier, happier life. The magazine is published 10 times a year, reaching more than 6.5 million women.