Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
February 16, 2011 by Assistant Editor
Filed under Events
AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER
Houston, TX
April 16-17
A vibrant international city, cultural diversity, picturesque parks and a leading medical community making cancer history-all provide obvious and persuasive reasons why we’ll walk in the great city of Houston. You’ll walk amidst glorious oak trees, funky antique and craft shops, designer boutiques and pictorial greenbelts while witnessing Houston’s skyline, which showcases some of the best modern architecture around. This event takes place on a beautiful spring weekend – April 16-17, 2011.
The Avon Foundation for Women has raised and awarded nearly $700 million worldwide for the breast cancer cause since 1992. The Avon Foundation for Women has awarded nearly $12 million to organizations and institutions in Texas
We’ll walk up to 26.2 miles on Saturday, and 13.1 miles on Sunday-all so that women and men can get the medical care they need regardless of their ability to pay, and leading research teams can receive vital support in their ongoing search for a cure.
• The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is a project of the Avon Foundation for Women [a 501(c)(3) public charity] encompassing a series of nine, weekend-long walk events held across the United States where thousands of women and men come together to raise awareness and life-saving funds for breast cancer.
• Funds raised ensure that all women and men receive screening, support and treatment they need, regardless of their ability to pay, as well as accelerate the work of leading research teams in their quest for better treatment, improved detection and a cure.
• Since its launch in 2003, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series has raised more than $380 million through the dedication of more than 142,000 participating women and men from across the country.
• To register, donate or learn more: avonwalk.org or 1-888-541-WALK
What takes place?
• A fun and inspiring weekend-long noncompetitive walk offering the option of walking 13.1 or 26.2 miles on Saturday, and 13.1 miles on Sunday for a total of either a marathon or a marathon and a half over the weekend.
• Rest stops manned by an enthusiastic volunteer crew, plus meals, hot showers, medical services, and 2-person sleeping tents in the “Wellness Village” on Saturday night.
Who takes part?
• Women and men of all fitness levels, both individually and in teams, ages 16 to 80s.
• Each Avon Walk attracts from 1,000 to nearly 5,000 participants
• Most Avon Walks have participants from about 35 states and often other countries.
• The hundreds of teams carry names ranging from the inspired to the humorous, such as the Solo Strutters, Team Maureen, A Bunch of Boobs, Angela’s Angels, Blister Sisters, Breast Bra-Gade, Cancer Schmancer, Living Legacy, Boston Boobettes, Mammo Mamas, No Sister Left Behind, Save Second Base, Team Believe.
• Walkers take on the challenge to raise a minimum of $1,800 in donations and train to walk a marathon or marathon and a half. There is no fundraising requirement for Crew members.
Where do the funds go?
• The Avon Foundation for Women awards funds raised by the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer to local and national beneficiaries ranging from leading cancer centers to community-based organizations
• On stage during the nine 2010 Avon Walk closing ceremonies, the Avon Foundation immediately awarded almost 100 grants ranging from $25,000 to $1.2 million to leading cancer centers, research institutions and community-based organizations in the Walk regions. In total, the Avon Foundation awarded more than 250 grants across the country throughout the year.
• Funds support five critical areas of the breast cancer cause, with a focus on the medically underserved: awareness and education, screening and diagnosis, access to treatment, support services and scientific research.
Follow the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
on Facebook (www.facebook.com/avonwalks)
and Twitter (http://twitter.com/avonwalks)