Fantasia performing

October 31, 2006 - The sixth annual Avon Foundation Awards Celebration last night honored leaders in the causes of breast cancer and domestic violence at a gala at the New York State Theater, Lincoln Center, New York City. Hosts Andrea Jung, Chairman & CEO Avon Products, Inc. and Carol Kurzig, Executive Director, Avon Foundation shared the stage with ABC 20/20 correspondent and event emcee Lynn Sherr, champion women’s figure skater Emily Hughes, Primetime’s John Quiñones and leading breast cancer researchers, including Dr. Jorge Gomez of the National Cancer Institute. The event was attended by more than 600 people and culminated with a rocking musical performance by Grammy-nominated singer Fantasia Barrino, the third-season winner of the hit show American Idol. A surprise guest was Missy Elliott, Grammy Award-winning rap and hip hop star, who joined the audience to lend support to Fantasia and the Avon Foundation.

The evening also celebrated an extraordinary new milestone: total funds raised through Avon philanthropy worldwide have reached an unprecedented $500 million. Fundraising programs include the US Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series, the global Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer series, the Need for Speed Relay Against Domestic Violence, fundraising products and special events, including the annual Awards Celebration, which raised nearly $2 million this year.

L-R: Emily Hughes, Andrea Jung, John Quiñones, Lynn Sherr and Carol Kurzig

The Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is a leader in the causes of breast cancer and domestic violence, and the Avon Foundation and Avon together are the largest corporate supporter of the breast cancer cause. The flagship programs are the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, which since 1992 has supported access to care and finding a cure in 50 countries, and Avon Speak Out Against Domestic Violence, which was launched in July 2004. The Avon Foundation also supports emergency and disaster relief.

“This evening is to let those who have battled breast cancer and those who have faced domestic violence know that they are not alone in their struggles, and to celebrate the women and men who share our commitment to eradicate breast cancer and end the cycle of violence,” stated Jung.

Avon Foundation Awards Recipients and Presenters
John Quiñones, co-anchor of ABC News Primetime, received the Voice of Change award for his effort to expose injustice and wrongdoing against women and bring the issue of domestic violence to the mainstream. The Avon Foundation Award is in special recognition of Quiñones’ fascinating hidden camera report “What Would you Do?,” on how people react when they witness women at risk in public places. This program is an important work of journalism that illustrates the reluctance of many people to become involved or speak out against domestic violence

Serving as the evening’s emcee and presenting the Voice of Change award was Lynn Sherr, a highly respected, leading correspondent for ABC News’ 20/20, as well as the author of several books. During her journalistic career, she has earned innumerable awards for investigative reporting on a wide range of stories, with an emphasis on women’s issues, social changes, and national politics. Sherr is a cancer survivor and just released Outside the Box: A Memoir about her battle with the disease and her husband’s death from cancer.

The Medical Advancement in Breast Cancer award was presented to the Avon Foundation-National Cancer Institute Progress for Patients program and was accepted by three extraordinary leaders in breast cancer research: Jorge Gomez, M.D., Ph.D., National Cancer Institute, Victoria Seewaldt, M.D., Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center and Eric P. Winer, M.D., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Breast SPORE. These three stellar scientists are among nearly 100 who lead innovative research into ways to treat, prevent, detect and diagnose breast cancer under the auspices of Progress for Patients, a 5-year, $30 million public-private partnership with the goal to expedite the application of new scientific discoveries to quickly benefit patient treatment and care. Dr. Gomez is director of the Progress for Patients program, which to date has funded 93 scientists collaborating on 56 clinical research studies that already resulted in 42 clinical trials.

Emily Hughes, Olympic figure skater, presented the Medical Advancement award. The 1997 diagnosis of her mother, Amy, with breast cancer prior to her sister Sarah’s Olympic success made headlines, and both Hughes sisters have become breast cancer advocates. Their mother is now a breast cancer survivor, and Emily believes “that if I can get one person to get a mammogram, I've accomplished something"

A special Women’s Empowerment Crusader Award was presented to Avon Mexico for its commitment to the domestic violence cause and its willingness to take a public stand on this issue. Accepting the award were Maria Eugenia Garcia Quen, Zone Manager and Eduardo Ribeiro, Vice President Sales. Avon Mexico secured the support of President Vincente Fox for the launch of Speak Out Against Domestic Violence, and among their initiatives is an award-winning public service announcement titled "Golpe" ("Punch"), showing a beautiful model with a black eye and the headline "At Avon, we don't want you to cover it up."

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, and today focuses on breast cancer and domestic violence, with support also for emergency and disaster relief. Through 2006 Avon global philanthropy in 50 countries worldwide has raised and awarded more than $500 million. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade supports access to care and finding a cure, with a focus on the medically underserved, through funding for awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research. The Avon Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program is focused on domestic violence awareness, education, direct service and prevention programs. For more information call 866-505-AVON or visit www.avonfoundation.org. .