New Avon LLC and the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade announced the kick off of AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer. Now in its 15th year, the 2017 season begins this weekend in Houston, followed by Washington, D.C. (May 6–7), Chicago (June 3–4), Boston (June 24–25), San Francisco (July 8–9), Santa Barbara (September 9–10) and New York (October 14–15).
United by the theme #FierceIsForever, the two-day, 39.3 mile walks celebrate the strength and philanthropic commitment of participants who raise a minimum of $1,800 to accelerate breast cancer research; improve access to screening, diagnosis and treatment; and educate people about breast cancer. The 2016 AVON 39 event series drew more than 13,000 participants from across the country, including 1,728 breast cancer survivors, who raised more than $30 million to advance access to breast health care.
“As the company for women, we are proud of our strong purpose-driven mission to improve the lives of women—and this includes our long-term commitment to the fight against breast cancer,” says Scott White, CEO of New Avon. “The AVON 39 experience is such a point of pride for our thousands of Representatives and employees—many who will walk, donate or cheer to take us one step closer to ending breast cancer once and for all.”
The event will begin with an inspirational opening ceremony, followed by a 26.2-mile walk throughout the host city. Participants spend the night at Basecamp 39, featuring pink two-person tents, hot showers and meals, entertainment and leisure activities, as well as volunteer medical services provided by AVON 39 Medical Sponsors. On day two, participants complete the final 13.1 miles, and then join family and friends to celebrate their achievement at the closing ceremony, during which the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade awards new grants to breast cancer organizations in the Walk city to ensure the funds raised benefit the local community immediately.
“We are delighted to be entering our 2017 Walk season,” said Kevin Honeycutt, President and CEO of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. “Over the last 15 years, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has allocated the funds raised by AVON 39ers to organizations that help women and men, regardless of their ability to pay, get the breast cancer care they need. Funds from the Walks have greatly improved the daily lives of breast cancer patients across the country, especially those in high-risk, underserved populations, and we look forward to furthering this impact in 2017, with the ultimate goal of taking down breast cancer once and for all.”
AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer is the largest fundraising event for the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. Since its launch by the Avon Foundation for Women in 2003, more than 235,000 participants have raised nearly $620 million in the fight to end breast cancer. Funds raised at each event provide direct impact in the area where the event takes place, and also help make sure that care and research programs nationwide have adequate resources to make the most progress possible.
Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women have contributed over $1 billion globally toward eradicating breast cancer and domestic violence.
