(New York, March 7, 2006) – Domestic violence knows no boundaries – geographic, social or economic. It affects one in three women worldwide, and a woman is assaulted or beaten in the U.S. every nine seconds. Men can be victims, too, and 10 million American children witness domestic violence each year.

In response, the Avon Foundation announces a new event to raise funds and awareness to help end domestic violence: the Need for Speed Relay Against Domestic Violence, led by Honorary Team Captain Joe Torre, Manager for the New York Yankees. Joe’s mother, Margaret, was a victim of domestic violence, and the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation will receive the Avon Foundation’s initial grant from funds raised in the race.

Running From the Mountain to the Sound

The inaugural Need for Speed Relay will take place in Westchester County, NY, on Sunday, June 11, 2006, and is expected to attract runners from across the northeast. The team relay covers a 60-mile, nine-leg course “from the Mountain to the Sound,” with legs of four to eleven miles from Bear Mountain Bridge to New Rochelle, NY on the Long Island Sound. The event is open to runners of every level of expertise, with each team consisting of six to nine women and/or men. Teams can be independent or sponsored by clubs, schools, corporations or organizations.

The event will culminate in downtown New Rochelle, where Need for Speed Relay participants, family, friends and spectators will celebrate together at a finish-line festival complete with music, food, beverages and awards for the top teams.

The team registration fee ranges from $400 for early registration to $600 for late registration after May 15, with incentive prizes for fundraising. More information and registration is available at www.needforspeedrelay.org or by calling 888-NFS-RELAY. Runners are encouraged to sign up today and help end domestic violence.

Speak Out Against Domestic Violence

The Need for Speed Relay Against Domestic Violence is the newest initiative of the Avon Foundation Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program that launched in 2004. The initial grant to the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation will help children of domestic violence by creating a "Margaret's Place" in Westchester County, a unique program that helps middle and high school students overcome domestic and teen dating violence through a designated safe place in their school, counseling and education.

About the Avon Foundation

The Avon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women, and today focuses on breast cancer and domestic violence. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade supports access to care and finding a cure, with the best known event the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The Speak Out Against Domestic Violence initiative focuses on education, prevention and direct service programs, with fundraising through product sales and events such as the Need for Speed Relay Against Domestic Violence. Through 2005 Avon philanthropic programs in 50 countries have raised and awarded more than $450 million worldwide. For Avon Foundation information visit www.avonfoundation.org or to register for the relay visit www.needforspeedrelay.org.