'Walk' to complete awareness - Avon's fifth annual global walk for breast cancer comes to Dubai this November

Being held under the auspices of Al Hathboor and Avon UAE, an affiliate of the US-based Avon Foundation, the event which has already raised $10.2m in the US itself, will be held in association with Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) a member of Tatweer and Dubai Municipality. The objective of the event is to spread awareness about the malignant disease, which disfigures or fatally affects millions of women worldwide each year, disrupting their lives and those of their families.

The proceeds of the UAE walkathon will be donated to Dr. Houriya's Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Avon Al Hathboor Breast Cancer Funds, to assist in related local activities. In addition, the walkathon will also mark its entry in the Guinness Book of World Records as the Dubai Health Care City will attempt the Largest Awareness Ribbon made of Flowers.

The walkathon is expected to carry added impact because it will feature many breast cancer survivors from UAE and outside participating in the Annual Avon Walk. Their testimonies about their fight against cancer are expected to encourage more and more women to adopt preventive measures or even undergo early cancer detection tests.

Commenting on the UAE leg of this initiative, Ms Premi Oommen, National Sales Manager, Avon UAE, said: 'Breast Cancer does not discriminate between nations or ethnic groups. However, both the understanding of the disease and the support to fight it varies greatly from country to country. By mobilizing people worldwide Avon is helping to break down the barriers that obstruct the spread of awareness about breast cancer and access to care for sufferers, as we continue to work for elimination of the disease. Thus, health risks such as this, arising from our so-called modern lifestyles and a lack of proper awareness about the disease's cause and symptoms, should be kept in sharp focus in a rapidly developing country such as the UAE.'

'It is equally important for both the common good as well as from a moral standpoint that we collectively help in battling this malignant disease in every possible way. The global Avon Breast Cancer Walkathon is the natural outcome of this belief and is aimed at creating adequate awareness about the cause, symptoms and remedies of this disease,' Ms Oommen added.

In the context of creating awareness about the disease and raising funds for research and cure, the Fifth Annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer held in New York City on the 6th & 7th of October 2007 proved to be the largest Avon walk. Women and men from seven countries, in addition to those from 46 states of America, participated in the event. This Walk has raised more than US$ 10.2 million. The event kicked off early on October 6 morning, with an inspiring opening ceremony at Hudson River Park's Pier 84.

Walkers were supported by a crew comprising volunteers at every step. Friends, family, supporters and local residents encouraged them to keep going from cheering stations. Thus they walked tirelessly to promote the cause of advancing access to care for breast cancer sufferers and to find cure for breast cancer. One of the cheering stations was manned by breast cancer survivors from nearly 50 countries. Each walker in Avon Walk New York raised a minimum of $1,800 in donations. The amount received in donations is managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation.

In 2005 the Avon Foundation celebrated the 50th anniversary of its commitment towards improving the lives of women as well as their families. The focus has primarily been on two key areas: the fight against breast cancer and the other is domestic violence. The Avon Foundation also undertakes special projects in response to national or international emergencies.

For more than a decade now Avon Foundation has raised both funds and awareness for advancing access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer in response to the needs of women and their families. From 1992 through 2006 the Foundation has raised more than US$450 million in 50 countries worldwide for creating awareness about breast cancer, educating the public about the disease and most importantly to fund cancer research groups through out the world. The information thus provided covers topics like screening for breast cancer, its diagnosis, how to access treatment and support services, etc. Avon with this global initiative have made a unique connection with caring people across the country and around the globe thus making a significant and lasting difference in lives of women.