Washington, DC --- More than 3,100 participants in this weekend’s fifth annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Washington, DC, raised $7.4 million to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. At today’s Closing Ceremony at the Kennedy Center, Avon Foundation Executive Director Carol Kurzig announced the following seven initial grants:

National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund (NBCCF) (Washington, DC) was awarded $1,650,000 to continue primary sponsorship of Project LEAD (Leadership, Education and Advocacy Training).

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Medical Center (Baltimore, MD) was awarded $1,000,000 to continue support of patient care at the Avon Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center; continued research into breast cancer chemoprevention, chemotherapy administration and other novel therapies; community outreach research; pre-clinical lab studies; and program administration.

Georgetown University on behalf of Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center/Capital Breast Care Center (CBCC) (Washington, DC) was awarded $750,000 to support key staffing; the development of new outreach materials; and CBCC’s participation in community health fairs to reach more people.

Food & Friends (Washington, DC) was awarded $450,000 over two years to continue the unique Avon Pink Ribbon Delivery Program that delivers meals and nutritional counseling to breast cancer patients and their families. Since 2001, the Avon Pink Ribbon Delivery Program has served more than 275,000 meals to 938 breast cancer patients and their families.

Franklin Square Hospital Center (Baltimore, MD) was awarded $250,000 to support the purchase of new equipment for breast cancer screening.

Winchester Medical Center (Winchester, VA) was awarded $250,000 to support patient navigation and professionally-facilitated support group services to underserved populations in the Virginia area.

Antietam Healthcare, for Washington County Hospital (Hagerstown, MD) was awarded $225,000 over two years to support targeted outreach to uninsured and minority populations in rural Maryland.

About the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
During the Avon Walk Washington, DC, 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, May 5, with an early morning Opening Ceremony at the Kennedy Center, which included an immediate reminder of the impact of breast cancer through the remarks of Wasau, Wis., resident Kim Susens, a one-year breast cancer survivor. Susens was one of the many courageous survivors who participated this weekend.


“I knew to get a mammogram,” said Susens. “I am here today because I did that, and my cancer was diagnosed early enough to treat. My cancer was found early. Now my son, my daughter and my niece can walk with me this weekend - not in memory of me.”

Following the inspiring Opening Ceremony, 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 Sligo Middle School in Silver Spring, MD, complete with hot showers, prepared meals and live entertainment. Sunday, May 5, walkers completed another 13.1 miles, ending back at the Kennedy Center where they were greeted by thousands of family and friends who shared in a celebratory and moving Closing Ceremony.

To participate in the Avon Walk Washington, DC, each walker raised a minimum of $1,800 in donations, which is 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 Washington, DC, and registration is still open for women and men to take part in the remaining Walks of 2007: Boston, MA (May 19-20); Chicago, IL (June 2-3); Denver, CO (June 23-24); San Francisco, CA (July 7-8); Los Angeles, CA (September 15-16); New York, NY (October 6-7); and Charlotte, NC (October 20-21).

To register, donate or for additional information, please visit www.avonwalk.org or call 800-510-WALK.