COUNTRY: BULGARIA Date: September and October 2005 Event: Breast cancer Walk and an awareness event Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from Germany, Stephanie Elsen-Ensch passed on the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Maria Dimitrova Avon Bulgaria marked their continued commitment to supporting the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade with a series of events through the year. In September, they held their annual breast cancer walk with more than 4,000 participants which concluded with a concert featuring popular Bulgarian singers. To increase awareness of the issue, park benches throughout the city were painted pink and emblazoned with the Avon Crusade pink ribbon logo. On October 7, 2005, Avon Bulgaria hosted a unique forum in Sofia for nongovernmental organizations, oncologists, the media, the Ministry of Health and Novartis Oncology, which was sponsor of the Connection Ribbon Tour. COUNTRY: CZECH REPUBLIC Date: October 20-21, 2005 Event: Breast cancer Conference Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from Spain, Julia Sanchez passed on the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Iva Raskova Avon Czech Republic held their first ever two-day breast cancer conference in the city of Prague on October 20-21, 2005. The event opened with an overview of programs funded by the Avon Czech Republic’s Breast Cancer Crusade. Over the course of two days, participants listened to presentations from local breast cancer patient organizations, senior academics, physicians, researchers, and breast cancer advocates. In addition to the presentations, workshops were held to foster relationships between the participants who represented different areas of the fight against breast cancer. COUNTRY: FRANCE Date: October 9, 2005 Event: 5km breast cancer Race/Walk Fundraising: Raised US$25,300 which was matched by the Avon Foundation, with funds awarded to Toujours Femme Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from Bulgaria, Maria Dimitrova passed on the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Denise Audidier On Sunday, October 9th, 2005, at the Chateau de Vincennes in Paris, more than 2,000 participants took part in the 5km Avon France Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer race/walk, which raised $25,300 for the breast cancer cause in France. The event was covered by more than 30 media outlets, helping to spread awareness and the message of breast cancer early detection. The Paris event was held in partnership with Oddessy, a well respected breast cancer organization in France, and was one of several Oddessy breast cancer walks taking place throughout the year. COUNTRY: GERMANY Date: October 2, 2005 Event: Women’s 5k/10k Walk Run Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from Romania, Maria Elena Sabu passed on the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Stephanie Elsen-Ensch Central Munich was focused on the issue of breast cancer on October 2, 2005 when 1,000 women took part in the Avon Germany Women’s 5k/10k Walk Run, which kicked off at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden. Global Connection Ribbon sponsor Novartis Oncology distributed breast cancer information and co-sponsored the German race. The event received extensive media attention, such as coverage by München TV, which included an interview with an Avon Germany executive, Axel Flecken and will also be covered in the leading monthly magazine LISA, helping spread the important message of early detection. COUNTRY: GREECE Date: October 2005 Event: Recognition dinner and ceremony and Avon Breast Cancer Crusade fashion show Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from France, Denise Audidier passed on the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Cleopatra Gabrielidou Avon Greece celebrated with several events throughout the month of October. Launching first with a recognition dinner and ceremony held on October 13, 2005 at the St. George Lycabettus Hotel and included more than 50 guests. Later in the week supporters of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade could be found “Catwalking” at the country’s first event Avon Breast Cancer Crusade fashion show. These events help generate awareness for the important issue of breast cancer and remove stigmas for the many women touched by the disease. COUNTRY: HUNGARY Date: October 8, 2005 Event: Walk for Life Fundraising: Raised US $25,690 which was matched by the Avon Foundation. Funds were awarded to the European Academy for Gynecological Cancer Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from Slovakia, Andrea Foldesova passed on the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Jolan Demeter, a well respected Hungarian Oncologist Avon Hungary sponsored its fifth annual Walk for Life event on October 8th, 2005. The event drew more than 3,300 walkers who raised approximately $25,690 through the purchase of a special Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer jacket. With these funds Avon Hungary will purchase surgical equipment for several medical centers and institutions, including the National Oncology Institution, Szent István Hospital, National Medical Center, hospitals of the towns of Kecskemét and Szombathely and also for Uzsoki Hospital. In addition to the funds raised, the thousands of participants raised important awareness as they traversed city streets, crossing Budapest’s historic Chain Link Bridge where the ancient lanterns had been covered in pink for the occasion. COUNTRY: IRELAND Date: October 16, 2005 Event: Breast cancer Walk Fundraising: Raised US$48,596 which was increased by a gift of $25,000 from the Avon Foundation. Funds were awarded to ARC Cancer Support, Dublin Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from the UK, Ann McGee passed on the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Bernie Weir Avon Ireland held their first ever breast cancer public awareness and fundraising event on October 16, 2005. More than 1,000 people turned out to help bring awareness to the issue of breast cancer and raise funds while at the same time helping break the stigma attached to a breast cancer diagnosis. Participants walked through Phoenix Park in Dublin and raised more than US$48,596, making it the most significant fundraising event in the history of Avon Ireland. The passing of the Global Connection Ribbon marked one of the first times that a woman in Ireland stood publicly to be recognized as a breast cancer survivor. COUNTRY: ITALY Date: October 5, 2005 Event: Breast cancer awareness event Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from Mexico, Bertha Aguilar passed on the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Mariangela Bottinelli This year Avon Italy not only celebrated the Avon Foundation’s 50th Anniversary, but they also marked an anniversary of their own—10 years of support for the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. The celebratory awareness event took place in Milan on October 5, 2005 and included representatives from the European Institute of Oncology, the Italian League Against Cancer, and the Europa Donna, each addressing the topics of research and prevention. Women were able to receive free mammograms, breast examinations by medical personnel and information about prevention. COUNTRY: POLAND Date: October 8, 2005 Event: Breast cancer Walk Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from Italy, Mariangela Bottinelli passed the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Ewa Kozik On October 8, 2005 more than 2,000 dedicated people walked through the streets of Warsaw to raise awareness of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade and the important message of breast cancer prevention and early detection. Each holding a bundle of pink balloons, the symbolic wave of pink raised further awareness by generating extensive coverage by local media. Together participants and breast cancer survivors alike stood in solidarity, united behind this important cause. COUNTRY: PORTUGAL Date: October 1, 2005 Event: Educational walk-a-thon Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Local survivor Elisa Correia received the Global Connection Ribbon which she would pass on to survivor from Germany, Stephanie Elsen-Ensch Avon Portugal held their educational walk-a-thon on October 1, 2005 in the historic city of Sintra. The event was attended by 400 Avon Associates, Representatives and members of the community and was covered extensively by the local media. Educational flyers were distributed at the event, helping spread breast cancer information and awareness, and hundreds of pink balloons were released. At the close of the event, Avon Portugal awarded a Digital Mammography Machine to a public hospital to provide lifesaving screening services. COUNTRY: ROMANIA Date: October 1, 2005 Event: Breast cancer Walk and press conference Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from the U.S., Judy Zerwitz, a Femara patient who was nominated by event sponsor Novartis Oncology passed on the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Maria Elena Sabu On October 1, 2005 Avon’s Romanian Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer event made a visible statement as Avon Associates, Representatives and members of the community filled the streets of Bucharest holding pink balloons and wearing Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer Connection Ribbons. A press conference following the event to help spread the message of breast cancer awareness, and the walk combined with media coverage helped overcome cultural barriers that that usually prevent Romanian women from coming forward as breast cancer survivors. COUNTRY: RUSSIA Date: October 5, 2005 Event: Press conference and “Avon Pink Ribbon tie-up” Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Local survivor Nelly Adronova received the Global Connection Ribbon which she would pass on to survivor from the Ukraine, Olean Iurchenko Avon Russia incorporated three different events in their celebration on October 5, 2005. The day began with a press conference highlighting the work being done to fight breast cancer in the country. The press event also reminded Russians throughout the country to join the “Avon Pink Ribbon tie-up” by tying a pink ribbon outside their homes. Russian celebrities, Avon Associates, Representatives and members of the community, participated in the “Avon Pink Ribbon tie-up” by adding ribbons to the Tree of Hopefulness in front of the Avon headquarters in Moscow. More than 30 members of the national media attended the Moscow event, including three national TV Channels (RTR, NTV+, TVC), and included in their coverage was the moving Global Connection Ribbon ceremony. COUNTRY: SLOVAKIA Date: October 4, 2005 Event: Press conference Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from Portugal, Elisa Correia passed on the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Andrea Foldesova On October 4, 2005 Avon Slovakia raised awareness for the issue of breast cancer with a press conference in the city of Bratislava, promoting their local Breast Cancer Crusade efforts as well as the global efforts of the Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer. The message received significant media attention, helping to promote awareness of the breast cancer detection and prevention throughout the area. COUNTRY: SPAIN Date: October 16, 2005 Event: Breast cancer Walk and awareness event Fundraising: Raised US$18,520 which was matched by a gift from the Avon Foundation. Funds were awarded to the Spanish Society Against Cancer Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from Poland, Ewa Kozik passed on the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Julia Sanchez Avon Spain produced their first breast cancer walk on October 16, 2005 in the capital city of Madrid. The event was attended by more than 2,500 people, including local celebrities, and was covered by more than 45 journalists, helping to increase the visibility of the breast cancer message. The Spanish Association Against Cancer brought mobile mammography units to the event and offered free breast cancer screenings to walk participants. Avon Spain’s event raised more than US$15,000 which will be added to the extensive financial contributions they have already made to local breast cancer programs and services. COUNTRY: TURKEY Date: October 23, 2005 Event: “Trip to Health with Avon” walk and boat ride Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from Greece, Cleopatra Gavriedlidou passed the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Hanife Kopuz Earlier this year, Avon Turkey announced their “Trip to Health with Avon”. A program focused on increasing women’s awareness of the dangers of breast cancer with the hopes of creating a fund that will provide for free breast cancer screenings for women and to help finance part of the treatment costs for those diagnosed with the disease. Having held a fundraising fashion show in the capital of Istanbul earlier in the year, Avon Turkey’s “Trip to Health with Avon” joined the Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer on October 23, 2005, with a walk and boat ride. Hundreds of people came out to celebrate and raise money for the important breast cancer issue. The Global Connection Ribbon ceremony represented the unity of all women against breast cancer no matter what their nationality or background. COUNTRY: UKRAINE Date: October 15, 2005 Event: Breast cancer awareness Walk Fundraising: Raised US$24,778 which was matched by a gift from the Avon Foundation. Funds were awarded to Women Health and Family Planning. Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from Russia, Nelly Adronova passed on the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Olean Iurchenko Avon Ukraine held a breast cancer awareness walk On October 15, 2005 to help spread important breast cancer information to Ukrainian women. The walk was held in the beautiful city of Kiev, and brought together more than 300 Avon Associates, Representatives and their family members, as well as journalists from the Ukraine and Russia. Igor Schepotin, Chief Oncologist of Ukraine’s Ministry of Health, and Galina Maistruck, National Representative of the European Cancer Coalition helped to kick off the event, which marked one of the most visible breast cancer events to ever take place in the Ukraine. COUNTRY: UNITED KINGDOM Date: October 13, 2005 Event: “Celebrating Life” award ceremony Breast Cancer Survivor Participant: Visitor survivor from Hungary, Jolan Demeter passed on the Global Connection Ribbon to local survivor Ann McGee Avon UK, which is credited with starting the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade in 1992, hosted the “Celebrating Life” award ceremony on October 13, 2005. The event which took place at the venerable House of Lords, was commemorating the Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer and celebrating the success of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. The day began with a tour of the Houses of Parliament and a champagne reception in Abby Gardens. Later in the evening, more than 50 people watched as the Crusader Award, Angel Award and Champion Award were presented to three Avon Representatives for extraordinary support of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.                         The Avon Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. Our IRS tax-exempt number is: 13-6128447.