Denver, CO, June 26, 2005 — Colorado is about to see an increase in health care and other services for families who may face breast cancer. Today at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Closing Ceremony at Washington Park, Avon Foundation Executive Director Carol Kurzig announced gifts totaling $1,090,000 to two local breast cancer research and care organizations. These gifts are in addition to the millions of dollars previously awarded to breast care initiatives in the region by the Avon Foundation, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Today’s gifts will be given to: the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Children’s Treehouse Foundation. Proceeds from the Avon Walks are awarded by the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, to organizations that support the Avon Foundation mission of access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved.

“These institutions we recognize today share our mission, and we are grateful for everything they do and are proud to provide funding to help support their great work in the community,” Kurzig said.

The funds distributed at today’s ceremony were raised in part by the nearly800 dedicated women and men from throughout the state and nation who participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Denver. These individuals walked up to a marathon and a half throughout the Denver area this weekend, covering up to 26.2 miles Saturday and camping out overnight before continuing another 13.1 miles on Sunday. Walkers were supported by an all-volunteer crew throughout their journey, as well as cheering stations manned by family and friends.

This was the first year the Avon Walk has come to Denver, and the Avon Foundation has already announced it will be back June 17-18, 2006. “This weekend, we walked in Denver for every mother, every sister, every daughter and son here and throughout the country who is touched by breast cancer,” Kurzig said, “The spirit was unforgettable and the impact undeniable.”

About the Gifts and Beneficiaries
The new gifts were awarded at the closing ceremony to ensure funds immediately benefit the community. The beneficiaries are:

The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Comprehensive Cancer Center in Denver will receive $1,000,000 to continue with its commitment to caring for the indigent and to pursue innovative pilot research programs in understanding if sex hormones promote or suppress breast cancer metastasis, bringing the total Avon Foundation support since 2001 to $4,220,000. The UCHS Comprehensive Cancer Center is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center that is best known for work in basic sciences, in particular the role of hormones in the etiology of breast cancer. They also have a strong commitment to caring for the underserved and indigent populations, including the Hispanic and Native American communities, through Comadre and Project SOL. The new grant will support: research, outreach to the underserved and new staffing, including project coordinators, outreach staff, patient navigators, research fellows and two Junior Faculty “Avon Scholars.”

The Children’s Treehouse Foundation in Denver will receive $90,000 to support continued training, education and awareness programs that educate health experts and the public of the impact on children when a parent is diagnosed with cancer. This grant brings to $265,000 the total awarded by the Avon Foundation to the Children’s Treehouse Foundation since 2002. The new grant will support the second National Two-Day Training Seminar for psychosocial staff from leading NCI-designated cancer centers, expand the number of hospitals involved in the Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery (CLIMB) program, and update and enhance the website and communication media.

About the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series is a project of the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Foundation manages and disburses the net proceeds from the Avon Walks to support access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer nationwide, with funds awarded for awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research. Beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based non-profit breast health programs, with a focus on reaching the medically underserved. From1992 through 2004, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has raised and awarded more than $350,000,000 in 50 countries worldwide to breast cancer research and care organizations. Funds are raised through a wide variety of special events, product sales, walks, runs, concerts and other initiatives in addition to the Avon Walks.

The complete 2005 Avon Walk series includes: Charlotte, NC (April 16-17); Washington, DC (April 30-May 1); Boston, MA (May 14-15); Chicago, IL (June 4-5); Denver, CO (June 25-26); San Francisco, CA (July 9-10); Los Angeles, CA (September 17-18); New York, NY (October 1-2).

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is generously supported by National Sponsors Novartis Oncology and RYKÄ, Official Sponsors Airplus for Her and Crystal Light, and Official Water FIJI,

For more information about the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 877-WALK-AVON.