Feb. 4, 2004
2004 Event Series Will Raise Funds and Awareness Nationwide
NEW YORK (February 2004) – In 2004, thousands of women and men from Chicago, as well as from across the country, 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 Chicago on June 5-6, 2004, beginning in Soldier Field, Stadium Green.
The series of weekend 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 all 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. The 2004
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer cities are (in alphabetical order): Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; and Washington, D.C.
Interested individuals can get more information and register by visiting
www.avonwalk.org or calling the local Chicago Avon Walk for Breast Cancer office at 773-248-3120.
ILLINOIS AND BREAST CANCER
Nationally, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes, and according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer is currently the second leading cause of cancer death in women, with an estimated 40,000 deaths this year. One of the factors in Avon bringing its event to the Chicago metro area are the Illinois statistics: the ACS estimates that in 2003 approximately 10,200 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed among women statewide and about 1,900 will have died from the disease.
ABOUT THE AVON WALKS
The
Avon Walk series is a project of the Avon Foundation and builds on the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade commitment of more than a decade to raising funds and awareness for the breast cancer cause. To date the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade has returned more than $300,000,000 to the breast cancer cause worldwide, with funds in the U.S. awarded for breast cancer awareness and education, screening and diagnosis, treatment, support services and scientific research.
The
Avon Walk Chicago walkers will start their trek very early on Saturday morning, June 5 at Soldier Field, Stadium Green 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, located in Warren Park, 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 – Soldier Field, Stadium Green – 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, a 501(c)(3) public charity, 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 Chicago Avon Walk for Breast Cancer needs walkers, crew and volunteers. To register or to pledge financial support, visit the local event home page by going to
www.avonwalk.org and clicking on Chicago. There you also will find a local schedule of “Get Started Sessions”, staff-led informational meetings about the fundraising events open to the public. You can also contact the local Chicago
Avon Walk office at 773-248-3120. 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, as well as Official Water FIJI Water and new Official Airline United Airlines.
Media Hotline: 1-888-AVON-411
Event Information: 877-WALK-AVON / info@avonwalk.org
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