Press Release

AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer Raises $6.4 Million in New York

NEW YORK, October 15, 2017 – AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer finished its 15th annual event series in New York this weekend raising $6.4 million to accelerate breast cancer research; improve access to screening, diagnosis and treatment; and educate people about breast cancer.

AVON 39 New York – the final event of the series and united by the theme #FierceIsForever – drew more than 2,400 participants from 45 states and Washington, DC, including 386 breast cancer survivors who walked a total of 39.3 miles over two days. Since AVON 39’s launch in 2003, more than 235,000 participants have raised nearly $620,000,000. Funds raised are distributed to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations.

“Since 1992, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has been committed to enabling access to medical advances and support services for breast cancer patients, particularly those from vulnerable populations,” says Jill Surdyka, AVON 39 National Ambassador. “The $6.4 million raised this weekend will allow us to continue this important work with our beneficiaries in the New York area and across the nation, with the hope that one day we will obliterate breast cancer once and for all.”

Pam Heller, a first-time AVON 39er and Avon Representative, earned her 39 this weekend in New York. "I have been an Avon Representative for almost 25 years and always thought about being part of AVON 39 but just didn't take that step,” says Pam. “Recently, one of my Avon team members and I were talking about goals and I made a deal with her: you reach your next promotion and I will do the walk with you. I'm proud to say, she made her goal and I’m so glad she pushed me to commit to this year’s New York Walk! I love to make difference and now can see how beneficial the Crusade is for those living with breast cancer."

At the event, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade announced 10 new grants to local breast cancer organizations, ensuring the funds raised immediately benefit the local community. Additional grants will be awarded throughout the year, adding to the more than $63.4 million donated by the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade and Avon Foundation for Women to organizations and institutions in the Tri-State area.

Representatives from the 10 organizations receiving grants at AVON 39 New York thanked participants for their commitment to ending breast cancer and for their spectacular fundraising achievements. All Avon Safety Net and Breast Cancer Outreach Program grantees commit to providing their services to everyone – no matter their insurance status, demographic background or ability to pay.

• Albert Einstein College of Medicine received a grant so their BOLD Buddies program can continue to pair newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with survivors to help them through their treatment and care, provide education on clinical trial participation and improve overall quality of life.
  
• Metropolitan Hospital Center received a grant to provide high quality, patient-centered services and care to nearly 500 breast cancer patients, as well as provide breast health education in multiple languages to women throughout the East Harlem community.
• Northern Westchester Hospital Breast Health Initiative received a grant to provide more than 700 individuals with free, accessible and timely breast health services, ranging from mammography screening to treatment.
• St. Johns Riverside Hospital received a grant to focus on early detection of breast cancer and reducing late stage diagnosis among women of color in Yonkers. Over the next year, they will also ensure that more than 1,750 patients receive appropriate education, screening and timely follow-up.
• Newark Beth Israel Medical Center received a grant to continue their "Steering Women through Breast Cancer" program, serving low-income women living in Essex County, NJ. The program will increase access and ensure timely care throughout the entire breast care process, navigating 200 patients who are at-risk or have breast cancer.
• God’s Love We Deliver received a grant to prepare and deliver more than 75,000 individually tailored meals to breast cancer patients and their families. Additionally, 300 nutrition counseling and education sessions will be provided so that patients can maintain healthy weight and manage some of the side effects of their treatment.
• New York University School of Medicine received a grant to provide care for 2000 medically underserved women in New York City. And through their patient navigation program, 100 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and 1,000 cancer survivors and high-risk patients will receive care and support in their preferred language.
• Cancer*Care* received a grant to support the AvonCares program, which will provide direct financial assistance, psychosocial support services and educational information to over 2,250 low-income, underserved women with breast cancer throughout the United States.
• New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, home of the Avon Center of Excellence, received a grant to support screening of 1,400 women and help provide bilingual services for 750 uninsured women who are screened at the Avon Breast Imaging Center. Also with this support, they will be researching the biochemistry of breast cancer to reduce the prevalence of this disease and improve patient outcomes particularly among underserved women.
• Avon’s Breast Health Outreach Program received a grant to competitively award Breast Health Outreach Program grants to over 50 organizations across the country. They will continue to support community-based programs that navigate medically underserved women and men to breast health education, screening and treatment services.

"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. I've had the great privilege of participating in the AVON 39 Walk and being a part of the powerful community of walkers. I'm inspired by the individuals whose lives have been touched by breast cancer, and who have their own personal reason for wanting to take part and make a difference," says Scott White, Chief Executive Officer, New Avon LLC.

Event Details

AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer New York began on Saturday, October 14 at 6:15 a.m. with an inspirational opening ceremony at Pier 97. Participants then walked 26.2 miles throughout New York City, supported by an all-volunteer crew and cheered on by supporters. AVON 39 participants spent Saturday night at Basecamp 39 at Randall’s Island, featuring pink two-person tents, hot showers and meals, entertainment and leisure activities, as well as volunteer medical services provided by AVON 39 Medical Sponsor New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

On Sunday, October 15, after completing the final 13.1 miles, participants joined family and friends back at Pier 97 to celebrate their achievement at a finish festival and closing ceremony, which started at 2:00 p.m. with a special performance by The Counterfeiters! The Ultimate 80s, 90s, etc. Party Band. During the ceremony, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade awarded new grants to New York-area breast cancer organizations to ensure the funds raised will benefit the community immediately.

Get Involved with AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer

Registration is open for 2018 events in Houston (April 21-22); Washington DC (May 5-6); Chicago (June 9-10); Boston (June 23-24); San Francisco (July 14-15); and Santa Barbara (September 8-9).

For more information about AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer, visit www.avon39.org or join the #FierceIsForever conversation on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

About AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer

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 $620,000,000 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. For more information about AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer, visit www.avon39.org or join the #FierceIsForever conversation on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

About New Avon LLC

New Avon LLC (“Avon”) is the leading social selling beauty company in North America, with independent sales Representatives throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. Avon's product portfolio includes award-winning skincare, color cosmetics, fragrance and personal care products, featuring iconic brands such as ANEW, Avon Color, mark., and Skin So Soft, as well as fashion and accessories. Avon has a 130 year history of empowering women through economic opportunity, and supporting the causes that matter most to women. Together, Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women have contributed over $1 billion globally toward eradicating breast cancer and domestic violence. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avon.com.

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