New York, October 2, 2005 — New York 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 the South Street Seaport in Manhattan, Avon Foundation President Kathleen Walas announced gifts totaling $3 million to seven 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, a 501(c)(3) public charity which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The funds distributed at today’s closing ceremony were part of the nearly $7 million raised by the more 2700 dedicated women and men from throughout the state and nation who participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer New York. This was the final event of the 2005 Avon Walk series of eight events in the US, which also kicked off the Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer marking the Avon Foundation’s 50 year milestone.

Today’s gifts will be given to: the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Center for Women's Health, which are both within the New York- Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center; New York University Cancer Institute; Kings County Hospital Center; Weill Medical College of Cornell University; God’s Love We Deliver; and St. John's Riverside Hospital. Proceeds from the Avon Walks are awarded by the Avon Foundation 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,” Walas said.

The participants in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer New York walked up to a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) throughout New York City 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, friends and funded organizations.

This was the third year the Avon Walk has come to New York area, and the Avon Foundation has already announced it will be back October 7-8, 2006.

“This weekend, we walked in New York for every mother, every sister, every daughter and son here and throughout the country who is touched by breast cancer,” Walas 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:

New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center received $1.5 million to support research including pilot laboratory studies, new clinical trials and expansion of the genetics study by Avon Scholar Ramon Parsons. These new funds will also support access to care, outreach, education, screening and navigation to local underserved populations.

New York- Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center, Center for Women's Health will receive $225,000 over 3 years to fund an Avon Scholar in Women's Health to train in women's health issues and to study barriers to follow-up care in underserved populations. The Scholar will work closely with the Avon Breast Imaging Center to monitor time to follow-up and recruiting patients.

New York University Cancer Institute will receive $600,000 over 18 months to support an integrated program to meet the needs of underserved breast cancer patients, largely from Chinese and Latina populations, treated at Bellevue Hospital and the NYU Cancer Institute.

Kings County Hospital Center will receive $250,000 over 3 years to support breast health care for the uninsured in Brooklyn. This gift complements other Foundation gifts to safety net hospitals in the Bronx, Manhattan, Newark, Long Island and Westchester.

Weill Medical College of Cornell University received $250,000 to expand a prior pilot program-which studied the practice of medication-based stress reduction and cognitive-affective-behavioral learning in women with breast and other gynecological cancers- to a full randomized clinical trial.

God's Love We Deliver received $100,000 to support their program providing meals delivery for low-income women undergoing breast cancer treatment.

St. John's Riverside Hospital received $75,000 to fund the patient navigator position and to support additional outreach to the medically underserved.

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. From 1992 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.

Registration is open for the complete 2006 Avon Walk series, which includes: Washington, DC (April 29-30); Boston, MA (May 20-21); Chicago, IL (June 3-4); Denver, CO (June 24-25); San Francisco, CA (July 8-9); Los Angeles, CA (September 16-17); New York, NY (October 7-8); Charlotte, NC (October 21-22).

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.