New York, NY-- More than 3,500 participants in this weekend’s Avon Walk for Breast Cancer New York broke event records, raising $9.7 million to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. At today’s closing ceremony at the South Street Seaport, Avon Foundation Executive Director Carol Kurzig announced grants that were immediately awarded thanks to the women and men who walked up to 39 miles over the weekend.

During the Avon Walk New York, 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, October 7, with an early morning opening ceremony at the South Street Seaport and an immediate reminder of the impact of breast cancer from New York Resident Mandy Szulimowski, who, at just 26 years old, is a 2-year breast cancer survivor.

After her diagnosis at age 24, Szulimowski tattooed a small pink ribbon on her left wrist as a constant reminder of what she battled, and as a conversation-starter to help raise awareness that breast cancer can impact anyone.

“Beating breast cancer gave me a new lease on life,” Szulimowski said, “I am here today so other women my age know that if they are diagnosed with breast cancer, someone is walking to help provide them treatment, support and someday, a cure.”

Following the inspiring opening, walkers began their journey from one end of Manhattan to the other, from west side to east, supported by a volunteer crew every step of the way. After completing the first day of walking, participants spent Saturday night in 1,750 two-person tents in the Avon Walk “Wellness Village” on Randall’s Island, complete with hot showers, prepared meals, entertainment, and comprehensive medical services. On Sunday, October 8, walkers completed another 13.1 miles through the east side, lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, concluding with the celebratory closing ceremony back at South Street Seaport.

A special component to the closing ceremony occurred when Avon Products, Inc. Chairman and CEO Andrea Jung honored on stage breast cancer survivors who participated in Avon Foundation events in 37 countries and came to New York to celebrate breast cancer awareness month. As Jung recognized these women for their heroic efforts to raise awareness in their own countries, she reinforced the fact that breast cancer is a global disease that needs to be fought on both global and local levels for women around the world.

To participate in the Avon Walk New York, 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 New York 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, funded by all eight Avon Walk events and other Avon Foundation activities throughout the year included the following;

Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund (New York, NY) received $5,985,000 to support grants to 125 non-profit Community Based Organizations across the country for education and outreach programs nationwide.

Bellevue Hospital Center (New York, NY) received $250,000 to support a new patient navigator staff position to coordinate and improve quality and access to care for underserved women.

CancerCare (New York, NY) received $1.3 million to continue the AVONCares program, which is a national financial assistance program that helps low-income, underserved women gain access to care. The program launched in 2000 and has already assisted 28,000 women fighting breast cancer.

Foundation for the Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry (Dobbs Ferry, NY) received $250,000 to purchase a digital mammography machine and continue the patient navigator program for the Avon Breast Center.

Foundation of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) (Newark, NJ) received $250,000 to support the initiation of a Clinical Research Patient Navigator program.

Gods Love We Deliver (New York, NY) received $200,000 to continue meal delivery service to breast cancer client families. The funds will also support an “Avon Foundation Nutritionist,” as well as the creation of a Spanish version Nutrition Breast Cancer brochure.

Jacobi Medical Center (Bronx, NY) received $250,000 to extend its patient navigator program.

Lutheran Family Health Center (Lutheran Medical Center) (Brooklyn, NY) received $250,000 to support an expansion of breast cancer diagnostic services through the Brooklyn Breast Health Partnership.

Metropolitan Hospital Center (New York, NY) received $250,000 to support the outreach and patient navigator program developed in January 2005.

New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center - Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (New York, NY) received $1 million to support access to care through the Avon Breast Imaging Center and research through the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Research Laboratories, both new facilities launched this year. Continued support has enabled the development of a national model for other medical centers to both conduct cutting edge biomedical research and deliver the highest standard of care to underserved populations.

New York University College of Nursing (New York, NY) received $95,000 to support studies focusing on reducing the risk of lymphedema among women with breast cancer.

Northern Westchester Hospital Center Foundation (Mount Kisco, NY) received $180,000 for their Breast Health Initiative for outreach to underserved women, with a focus on the Latina population.

Queens Hospital Center (Jamaica, NY) received $250,000 to support staff to launch a new digital mammography mobile van to serve Queens County.

St. John's Riverside Hospital (Yonkers, NY) received $250,000 to purchase a digital mammography machine and continue the patient navigator program, named the Avon Breast Care Center.

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 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.