August 26, 2006 --- Throughout October the world will unite to fight breast cancer in a chain of events linking countries together in shared commitment, brought together by the Avon Foundation as it honors fifty years focused on a mission to improve the lives of women. The month’s activities, further described on page 2, include:

• The first-ever Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer – a series of breast cancer fundraising and awareness events occurring in nearly 40 countries across five continents. At the conclusion of selected events, a breast cancer survivor has been tapped to travel to another country, participating in its event and passing along a “Global Connection Ribbon” in a sign of solidarity and support. As the series nears completion, several of the participating survivors will be brought to New York to be honored at the Avon Foundation 50^th Anniversary Awards Celebration. Getty Images has donated its services and will photograph many of the events in countries across the globe.

• Breast Cancer 2005: From Discovery to Delivery – a scientific symposium featuring international, world-renowned experts addressing both the latest breast cancer research breakthroughs and how to assure access to these breakthroughs to the medically underserved. Attendees will consist of over 200 doctors, clinicians, scientists and breast cancer experts from around the world.

• Avon Foundation-American Cancer Society University – a unique five-day training seminar hosted by the Avon Foundation and the American Cancer Society attended by representatives from 12 countries, who will learn how to create more effective breast cancer awareness and fundraising initiatives in their homelands.
• Avon Foundation 50^th Anniversary Awards Celebration – an awards dinner honoring leaders in the breast cancer and domestic violence causes, plus a special musical performance.

“We want to honor our first 50 years of the Avon Foundation by setting the stage for an even stronger next half century,” said Avon Foundation President Kathleen Walas when announcing the series of events, “This celebration is in honor of the women, men and families who have battled breast cancer across the globe and a commitment to eradicating this disease in the future.”

In many nations, breast cancer still carries a powerful stigma. Although progress has been made, breast cancer continues to be a leading cause of death for women, accounting for 1.6% of all female deaths in the world. In the US, there is a new diagnosis of breast cancer every three minutes and a life lost every 14 minutes. The Avon Foundation has been committed to improving the lives of women since 1955, and in 1992 the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade was launched to focus on the issue of breast cancer. Through 2004, Avon breast cancer programs in some 50 countries have raised and awarded more than $350 million for access to care and finding a cure, and millions more have been raised this year. The US-based Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series alone has raised over $100 million from 2003-2005 for the fight against breast cancer.

FURTHER EVENT DETAILS

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer New York: October 1-2
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Avon Foundation’s 50^th anniversary and the first-ever Avon Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer, and this special month kicks off with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer New York (AWBC), a 39.3-mile trek through the Big Apple. Over 2,600 participants from all 50 states and outside the US will cover 26.2 miles on Saturday, October 1, camp out on Randall’s Island overnight, and complete another 13.1 miles October 2. At the conclusion of the Avon Walk New York, a breast cancer survivor who wore the special Global Connection Ribbon throughout the event will head to Brazil to pass the ribbon on to a survivor in that country, linking the global community of breast cancer survivors with a tangible sign of solidarity and support.

Avon Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer: throughout October
The Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer will encompass some 40 Avon Foundation breast cancer fundraising and awareness events worldwide, from Mexico to the Great Wall of China. After the final event, several participating survivors who wore the Global Connection Ribbons will come to New York City to be recognized at the Avon Foundation 50^th Anniversary Awards Celebration, representing the shared commitment of people around the world to the fight against breast cancer. Participating Avon Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer countries include: Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, S. Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela.

Novartis Oncology is the generous supporter of the Global Connection Ribbon Tour and is dedicated to researching breast cancer therapies and reducing risk of recurrence. "Novartis is delighted to be a partner with Avon in its crusade against breast cancer. This initiative will increase awareness of breast cancer, help provide women with better access to the latest medical information on breast cancer and celebrate survival," said Dr. Diane Young, Head of Global Clinical Development, Novartis Oncology.

Breast Cancer 2005: From Discovery to Delivery Symposium: October 24
The Avon Foundation Anniversary Research Symposium will be one of the first breast cancer symposiums that goes beyond discussing research to include how to provide access to the benefits of that research for all, including the medically underserved and the uninsured. It is also an opportunity for specialists from around the world to discuss the medical, social and economic issues faced by individuals battling breast cancer. The more than 200 participants will include doctors, clinicians, scientists, cancer league managers and breast cancer experts from around the world. Chair of the symposium is Dr. Paul Goss, Director of Breast Cancer Programs at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Valerie Beral of University of Oxford, UK, will address breast cancer epidemiology worldwide. Additional symposium topics include: state of endocrine therapy for breast cancer; current chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer; emerging targeted therapies for breast cancer; screening, treatment, compliance and delivery of care in underserved breast cancer populations; risk assessment in underserved populations. The symposium will conclude with presentations on the challenges healthcare systems face in delivering state-of-the-art treatments for all people.

Avon Foundation-American Cancer Society University: October 24-28
Participants from 12 countries will come together in New York City for a unique five-day program presented by the Avon Foundation and the American Cancer Society’s International Division. Participants will learn ways to ease the global burden of breast cancer by strengthening the capacity of their organizations, and by increasing the Avon associates’ proficiency in the area of philanthropy to expand their local programs. Critical topics addressed will include Needs Assessment, Program Planning, Advocacy, Grants Management, Prevention and Detection, Patient Services; Fundraising/Sponsorship; and more. Attendees will include representatives of Cancer League Programs and Avon global breast cancer programs from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Spain and Venezuela.

Avon Foundation 50^th Anniversary Awards Celebration: October 25
Andrea Jung, Chairman and CEO of Avon Products, Inc. and Kathleen Walas, President, Avon Foundation will host the Avon Foundation 50^th Anniversary Awards Celebration on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at the renowned American Museum of Natural History in New York City. This special evening is expected to raise over $2 million, and since its inception in 2001 the annual Foundation gala has raised well over $8 million. Over 1,000 guests will attend the Awards Celebration, including domestic and international leaders from industries such as beauty, fashion, finance, telecommunications, logistics, health, technology, and more. The evening will consist of a cocktail reception and dinner, an awards ceremony recognizing leaders in the breast cancer and domestic violence communities, capped off by a special musical performance.

About the Avon Foundation
The Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women and their families. Now celebrating its 50^th anniversary, the Avon Foundation brings this mission to life through two key areas of focus: breast cancer and women’s empowerment, including the issue of domestic violence. The Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992, and Avon now supports breast cancer programs in 50 countries. Through 2004 the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade raised and awarded more than $350,000,000 worldwide for access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. Funding supports five areas: 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, creating a powerful international network of research, medical, social service and community-based organizations focused on defeating breast cancer and ensuring access to care.