Houston, TX (April 2008) – The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer comes to Houston for the first time on April 12-13 and kicks off the 2008 Avon Walk season, with thousands of participants committed to raising funds and awareness to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. The event series, which launched in 2003, is produced by the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) and offers participants a choice of walking a marathon or a marathon and a half over the weekend. The Avon Foundation has been a major supporter of breast cancer organizations and programs throughout Texas for many years, including The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX), but this is the first time an Avon Walk will take place in the state. The funds raised over the weekend will be distributed to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations, with initial grants made at the Closing Ceremony on Sunday afternoon to ensure funds immediately benefit the community.

Each Avon Walk attracts women and men from the local area and across the country. The Avon Walk Houston begins Saturday, April 12 with an inspirational Opening Ceremony, after which walkers have the choice of walking 13.1 or 26.2 miles – a half or full marathon – throughout the greater Houston area, supported by an all-volunteer crew and cheered by family and supporters along the route. Participants, including walkers and crew members, spend the night at the “Wellness Village,” which features two-person sleeping tents, hot showers, prepared meals, entertainment, volunteer massage services and comprehensive support services, along with leisure activities such as the Reebok sneaker personalization tent and the Fiji water “pink carpet photography booth.” On Sunday, April 13, walkers complete another 13.1 miles, concluding with a celebratory Closing Ceremony with thousands of family and friends. At the ceremony, the Avon Foundation will award new funding grants to local breast cancer organizations and institutions.

Since the launch of the Avon Walk in 2003, nearly $200 million has been raised through the dedication of 75,000 participating women and men. Last year alone, nearly 20,000 participants raised more than $47 million, making 2007 the most successful Avon Walk series in its five-year history, and nearly 50 grants ranging from $100,000 to $6 million were awarded at the 2007 closing ceremonies.

About the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and the Avon Foundation
The Avon Walks are non-competitive weekend fundraising walks for all fitness levels that require a significant commitment from participants. Each walker is required to raise at least $1,800 in donations and undertake months of training to prepare to tackle the course, which offers the option of covering a marathon (26 miles) or a marathon and a half (39 miles) over two days. Among the walkers’ ranks in 2007 were men and women of all ages, from all 50 states and many other countries, including more than 1,700 breast cancer survivors. This large, diverse group was united by their shared desire to eradicate breast cancer and help those touched by the disease.

The Avon Foundation was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women, and brings this mission to life through focus on two key issues: breast cancer and domestic violence. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992, and Avon breast cancer programs in some 50 countries have raised more than $525 million to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. Funding is awarded to beneficiaries ranging from leading cancer centers to community-based breast health programs to support five critical areas: awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research. Fundraising is through a variety of “pink ribbon” products, events, races and walks; the largest is the U.S. Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series, which began in 2003.

The complete 2008 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer schedule includes: Houston, TX (April 12-13); Washington, DC (May 3-4); Boston, MA (May 17-18); Chicago, IL (May 31-June 1); Rocky Mountains, CO (June 28-29); San Francisco, CA (July 12-13); Los Angeles, CA (September 13-14); New York, NY (October 4-5); and Charlotte, NC (October 25-26).

For more information, or to register or donate, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 888-541-WALK.

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer thanks National Sponsor: Reebok; Official Sponsors: Genentech BioOncology, Novartis Oncology and Prevention Magazine; and Official Water: FIJI

Remember: early detection can help save lives. Schedule your mammogram or clinical breast exam today. For more breast cancer information and resources, visit www.cancer.org (keyword breast cancer) or www.avonfoundation.org, where you can access free printable breast cancer informational literature.