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Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - 2006
AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER LOS ANGELES :RAISES OVER $3.6 MILLION
LOCAL BREAST CANCER ORGANIZATIONS REAP THE BENEFITS
Long Beach, CA--- More than 1,650 participants in this weekend’s Avon
Walk for Breast Cancer Los Angeles have already raised $3.6 million to
advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. At today’s
closing
ceremony at the Queen Mary Events Park, the Avon Foundation announced
six initial grants that were
immediately awarded to local organizations thanks to the women and men
who walked up to 39.3-miles over
Saturday and Sunday.
During the Avon Walk Los Angeles, 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, September 16, with an early
morning opening ceremony at the Queen Mary Events Park and an immediate
reminder of the impact of breast cancer from Cypress resident Amy
Hemsley, a one-year breast cancer survivor.
Amy is one of three sisters who have battled breast cancer. One sister
lost her battle in 1992, and both Amy and
a
second sister were diagnosed in 2005. Amy walked with 30 other women on
team “Amy’s Army” in honor of
her family as well as for other women and families who face their own
battles with this disease.
“While breast cancer did - temporarily - break down my body, it did not
touch my spirit,” Hemsley said, “I walk
now in hopes that I too can provide hope and courage to just one other
person who might one day need to march
in this battle alongside us.”
Following the inspiring opening, 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 El Dorado East Regional Park in Long Beach,
complete with hot showers, prepared
meals, entertainment, and comprehensive medical services. On Sunday,
September 17, walkers completed another
13.1 miles, concluding with the celebratory closing ceremony back at the
Queen Mary Events Park in Long
Beach.
ABOUT THE AVON FOUNDATION
The Avon Foundation, an accredited 501(c)(3) public charity, was founded
in 1955 to improve the lives of women
and their families. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992, and
Avon has supported breast cancer
programs in some 50 countries. While advances have been made, breast
cancer remains the most commonly
diagnosed cancer among women worldwide, and in the U.S. there is a new
diagnosis every three minutes.
Through 2005, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade raised and awarded more
than $400,000,000 worldwide to
advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a
focus on the medically underserved. Funding
supports five areas: awareness and education; screening and diagnosis;
access to treatment; support services; and scientific research.
Beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based
non-profit breast health programs, creating a powerful international
network of research, medical, social service and community-based
organizations focused on defeating breast cancer and ensuring access to
care.
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