The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is an event in which thousands of people come together for a weekend devoted to a common goal: to raise funds for breast cancer awareness, screening and diagnosis, treatment, support services, and scientific research. While the Avon Foundation gives grants to regional and national breast cancer organizations, it has made it a priority to return funds to the geographic area in which the funds have been raised.
The Walk
The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is a 39-mile weekend event held in different cities throughout the United States. Participants may choose to walk a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) over the course of two days.
Schedule
The 2009 dates and locations for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer include the following:
Houston, April 4 to 5
Washington, D.C., May 2 to 3
Boston, May 16 to 17
Chicago, June 6 to 7
Rocky Mountains, June 27 to 28
San Francisco, July 11 to 12
Los Angeles, September 12 to 13
New York, October 10 to 11
Charlotte, October 24 to 25
Registration
The walk is open to both men and women. The minimum age is 16, and the registration fee is $65. After registering, walkers receive a training T-shirt, a training packet and a "Walker Buddy" who will assist with the walker's physical training and with fund raising. Each walker is encouraged through training walks and meetings.
Fund Raising
Each participant in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is asked to raise a minimum of $1,800. Raising the money is not a problem, according to the Avon Foundation, because once participants have registered, advisers are available to give advice and support. One of the ways walkers have raised money in the past is through the creation of a web page devoted to the cause. During the training period, meetings are held to encourage and assist in ways to raise funds.
Provisions
There are three types of stops along the walk: Quick Stops are for toilet usage and to grab a drink; Rest Stops are set up with rest areas, medical services and snacks; and Lunch Stops have the same services as the Rest Stops plus lunch. Plenty of water and sports drinks are provided; waterless hand cleansers are handed out as well as bug repellent. In addition to the three stops, there is a Wellness Village. Here walkers eat dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, enjoy entertainment activities, and visit with friends and family who have been invited for this one night.
Tags: Avon Walk, Avon Walk Breast, Breast Cancer, Walk Breast, Walk Breast Cancer, Avon Foundation