AVON 39 the Walk to End Breast Cancer Raises $2.9 Million in Boston

More than 1,275 AVON 39ers conquered 39.3-miles to take down breast cancer

BOSTON, June 25, 2017 – AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer continued its 15th annual event series in Boston this weekend raising $2.9 million to accelerate breast cancer research; improve access to screening, diagnosis and treatment; and educate people about breast cancer.

AVON 39 Boston – the fourth of seven events across the country united by the theme #FierceIsForever – drew more than 1,275 participants from 36 states and Washington, DC, including 218 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,” said Jill Surdyka, AVON 39 National Ambassador. “The $2.9 million raised this weekend will allow us to continue this important work with our beneficiaries in the Boston area and across the nation, with the hope that one day we will obliterate breast cancer once and for all.”

Marie Longo, a five-time AVON 39er and Avon Representative, earned her 39 this weekend in Boston. "I'm a breast cancer survivor as well as an Avon Representative. Tears came to my eyes when I found out that an organization I was connected to during my breast cancer journey was also a grantee of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. I felt that I truly was with the best company,” says Marie. “This is my fifth year participating in AVON 39 and I'm thrilled that my middle son, who's a new dad, will be walking with me. We understand that breast cancer is not a woman's issue; it's a family issue.”

At the event, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade announced seven 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 $58 million donated by the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade and Avon Foundation for Women to organizations and institutions in New England.

Representatives from the seven organizations receiving grants at AVON 39 Boston 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.

• Tufts Medical Center received a grant to help breast cancer patients understand and move through the complex medical system through their patient navigation program. The program helps patients schedule appointments, liaise with all members of the medical team and ensure that patients understand and adhere to their treatment plan.
• Silent Spring Institute received a grant to continue to conduct research and share findings on the influence of environmental chemicals on breast cancer. Their latest research intends to advance their understanding of how chemicals in vehicle exhaust can lead to the development of this disease.
• Community Servings received a grant to prepare and serve more than 33,000 nutritious meals to breast cancer patients in the community. They will also provide education on a healthy diet during cancer treatment to more than 300 people in communities where fresh food is not always available.
• Boston Medical Center received a grant to help more than 2,000 individuals from the most underserved neighborhoods of Boston receive screening and diagnostics. They will support 200 breast cancer patients to make sure they receive timely, high-quality treatment.
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute received a grant to conduct research using blood biopsy and genomic sequencing technology that will help them further understand resistance to agents that attack tumors in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
• YWCA Malden received a grant on behalf of Avon’s Greater New England Breast Health Outreach Programs to support organizations like YWCA Malden that will help women and communities learn about the importance of and options for screening, access to mammography care and any needed follow up care and treatment.
• Massachusetts General Hospital, home of the Avon Center of Excellence, received a grant that will support health education efforts in neighborhoods throughout Boston, as well as patient navigation through breast cancer care. They will also work on two research projects. The first will examine the role of low-dose aspirin on outcomes in patients with early breast cancer; and the second will explore changes in tumors from patients who did not respond to hormonal therapy in an effort to improve treatment outcomes.

"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 Boston began on Saturday, June 24 at 6:30 a.m. with an inspirational opening ceremony at Carson Beach Harborwalk. Participants then walked 26.2 miles through the Boston area, supported by an all-volunteer crew and cheered on by supporters. AVON 39 participants spent Saturday night at Reebok World Headquarters 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 Massachusetts General Hospital.

On Sunday, June 25, after completing the final 13.1 miles, participants joined family and friends back at Carson Beach Harborwalk to celebrate their achievement at a finish festival with entertainment and closing ceremony, which started at 2:00 p.m. During the ceremony, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade awarded new grants to New England-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 2017 events, including San Francisco (July 8-9); Santa Barbara (September 9-10); and New York (October 14-15). Registration is also open for 2018 events in Houston (April 21-22); Washington DC (May 5-6); and Chicago (June 9-10).

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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KNOW YOUR RISKS. KNOW YOUR BODY. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.
Encourage women around you to do the same. Don’t forget, men can get breast cancer, too.
For breast cancer information and resources, visit avonfoundation.org.

AVON 39 Thanks Title Sponsor Avon,
National Sponsor Reebok, Official Sponsor PLS Financial Services
and Medical Sponsor Massachusetts General Hospital.
AVON 39 also thanks Coffee Sponsor Don Francisco’s Coffee, Breakfast Sponsor Noosa Yoghurt,
Ambulance Sponsor Fallon Ambulance and Supplier Sponsors Tiger Balm,
Effie’s Homemade, Milton Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Incorporated and Bay State Physical Therapy.