Long Beach, CA --- More than 1,650 participants in this weekend’s Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Los Angeles have already raised $3.6 million to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. At today’s closing ceremony at the Queen Mary Events Park, the Avon Foundation announced six initial grants that were immediately awarded to local organizations thanks to the women and men who walked up to 39.3-miles over Saturday and Sunday.

During the Avon Walk Los Angeles, walkers had a choice of walking a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) over the weekend. The event kicked off Saturday, September 16, with an early morning opening ceremony at the Queen Mary Events Park and an immediate reminder of the impact of breast cancer from Cypress resident Amy Hemsley, a one-year breast cancer survivor.

Amy is one of three sisters who have battled breast cancer. One sister lost her battle in 1992, and both Amy and a second sister were diagnosed in 2005. Amy walked with 30 other women on team “Amy’s Army” in honor of her family as well as for other women and families who face their own battles with this disease.

“While breast cancer did - temporarily - break down my body, it did not touch my spirit,” Hemsley said, “I walk now in hopes that I too can provide hope and courage to just one other person who might one day need to march in this battle alongside us.”

Following the inspiring opening, walkers began their journey, supported by a volunteer crew every step of the way. After completing the first day of walking, participants spent Saturday night in two-person tents in the Avon Walk “Wellness Village” at El Dorado East Regional Park in Long Beach, complete with hot showers, prepared meals, entertainment, and comprehensive medical services. On Sunday, September 17, walkers completed another 13.1 miles, concluding with the celebratory closing ceremony back at the Queen Mary Events Park in Long Beach.

To participate in the Avon Walk Los Angeles, each walker raised a minimum of $1,800 in donations, which will be managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation [a 501(c)(3) public charity]. Funds raised by participants of the Avon Walks are awarded to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations to support five areas of the breast cancer cause, including awareness and education, screening and diagnosis, access to treatment, support services, and scientific research, all with a focus on the medically underserved. Donations are still being accepted for the Avon Walk Los Angeles and registration is open for remaining 2006 and 2007 Avon Walk events at 800-510-WALK or www.avonwalk.org.

ABOUT THE NEW GRANTS
The grants awarded at the close of the Avon Walk include the following:

John Wayne Cancer Institute (JWCI) (Santa Monica, CA) received $450,000 to support program materials and staffing, including a Program Coordinator, Outreach Coordinator and a bi-lingual Health Educator. These new funds will build upon support from the Avon Foundation beginning in 2003 to establish the collaboration of outreach through the Center for Healthy Aging (CHA) and research at JWCI.

Council of Community Clinics (San Diego, CA) received $250,000 to support the implementation of a new patient coordinator network among the six organizations and their 18 community clinics.

Visiting Nurse Community Services (San Fernando, CA) received $250,000 to support a new coordinated patient navigator community outreach program driven by community providers and Antelope Valley Hospital.

Northridge Hospital Foundation (Northridge, CA) received $250,000 to support the implementation of a new, highly structured and planned volunteer patient navigator program.

Sharp Healthcare Foundation (San Diego, CA) received $250,000 to support the implementation of a patient navigator program that will help improve care among the underserved, uninsured women served at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center.

Iris Cantor Center for Breast Imaging at UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center (Los Angeles, CA) received $240,000 to support four radiology fellowships to address the critical need of breast imaging. The Avon Foundation previously supported nine fellowships in 2001-2005.

ABOUT THE AVON FOUNDATION
The Avon Foundation, an accredited 501(c)(3) public charity, was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women and their families. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992, and Avon has supported breast cancer programs in some 50 countries. While advances have been made, breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide, and in the U.S. there is a new diagnosis every three minutes. Through 2005, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade raised and awarded more than $400,000,000 worldwide to advance 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. For more information, visit www.avonfoundation.org.

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Los Angeles is the sixth of eight noncompetitive events for women and men of all fitness levels held throughout the US. For a list of 2007 Avon Walk cities and dates, visit www.avonwalk.org.

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is generously supported by National Sponsor Prevention magazine; Official Sponsors www.ribbonofpink.com, a program of Novartis Oncology, Airplus for Her, and Reebok; Official Water FIJI; and Associate Sponsor Multiply.com.