Five Ways You Can Get Involved During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes in the United States.  For this very reason, the Avon Foundation for Women – which is commemorating the 20^th anniversary of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade this year – is encouraging everyone to get involved in the fight against breast cancer this October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. At Avon, every month we fund programs to end breast cancer. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade supports research into the causes and prevention of breast cancer and funds access to quality care for all.

"Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time for all of us to strengthen our commitment to end this devastating disease and help those who are facing a diagnosis or recurrence," said Avon Foundation for Women President Carol Kurzig. "Whether you sign up for an Avon Walk for Breast Cancer or purchase a product from our pink ribbon collection, you are helping take strides towards ending breast cancer."

Since its launch in 1992, Avon breast cancer programs in 58 countries have donated more than $780 million for research and care. The U.S. Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series, which has raised more than $472 million since 2003 through the dedication of nearly 180,000 participants, also commemorates a milestone with its 10^th birthday season this year. The Avon Foundation celebrates these milestones by introducing important new initiatives and projects, including the launch of the Avon Global Breast Cancer Clinical Scholars program to reduce global disparities in breast cancer outcomes. Avon estimates that the scholars receiving this specialized training in the United States will return home and improve the prognosis for tens of thousands of women and men around the world. In early November, the Avon Foundation will foster collaboration among breast cancer funders by co-hosting the second "Collaborative Summit," to identify research areas where breast cancer funders can focus their efforts.

The Avon Foundation suggests the following five ways everyone can get involved in Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

FIVE WAYS TO JOIN THE AVON FOUNDATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER

Pin It To End It
The Avon Foundation for Women has created a Pinterest board to honor and remember women and men who are facing or who have battled breast cancer. Pin photos of a loved one whom breast cancer has taken from us, who is a breast cancer survivor or who is currently fighting the disease and tag the photos with #pinittoendit. For each photo posted and tagged during Breast Cancer Awareness Month the Avon Foundation will donate $5 (and for every re-pin, we'll donate an additional $0.50) up to $100,000 to fund both the Breast Health Outreach Program to improve access to breast health care and  research investigating the role viruses may play in breast cancer. Go to www.avonfoundation.org/pinittoendit to learn more.

Pink Yourself on Facebook
How do you look in pink? For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, why not try on some pink ... on Facebook? The Avon Foundation for Women has developed a Facebook tool to help you promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Visit www.avonfoundation.org/pinkyourself to "pink" your Facebook profile photo. You can tint it pink, or add a pink ribbon, an Avon Breast Cancer Crusade logo or the U.S. Avon Walk  for Breast Cancer slogan, "I'm In It To End It."

Donate on eBay
Have you always hoped to hang with Fergie or Paula Abdul on the red carpet? Been searching for a signed Derek Jeter bat to complete your baseball collection? Wondering what Hoda Kotb is like behind the scenes at the Today Show? From October 8 – 18 you can bid on these exciting experiences and items at the Avon Foundation Awards Gala Charity Auction on eBay GivingWorks – the Avon Foundation will receive 100% of proceeds. You can also support the Avon Foundation on eBay by donating to the Foundation at checkout or by visiting by visiting facebook.com/EBayGivingWorks and clicking on the Hope Chest campaign. For each action taken, eBay Giving Works will donate $1 to the Avon Foundation, up to $5,000.

Buy Avon Pink Products
The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade's pink ribbon fundraising products donate 100% of net proceeds to the cause. The latest addition is the 20^th Anniversary Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Watch, in two different styles and colors, available on Avon.com. The affordable pink ribbon collection features everything from bracelets and ear buds to scarfs and pins. Each product comes with a free breast health resource guide.

Walk and Be "In It To End it"
The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Series celebrates its 10^th birthday season in 2012. Join us at the two remaining Walks this year in New York (October 20-21) and Charlotte (October 27-28).  Avon Products, Inc., CEO Sheri McCoy is the Honorary Captain of Team Avon and will walk with her family in New York City.  Stay tuned for more information this month on ways to support Team Avon in New York and Charlotte. And it's not too early to register for one of the eight Avon Walks for Breast Cancer taking place in 2013. To register, donate or learn more: avonwalk.org or 1-888-541-WALK.

Avon Breast Cancer Crusade
The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, which commemorates its 20^th anniversary in 2012, has placed Avon at the forefront of the fight against breast cancer; today, Avon is the leading corporate supporter of the cause globally. In the 20 years since the Crusade's launch, Avon breast cancer programs in 58 countries have donated more than $780 million for research and advancing access to care, regardless of a person's ability to pay. Avon awards funding to beneficiaries ranging from leading cancer centers to community-based grassroots breast health programs to support breast cancer research and access to care. The Crusade has enabled more than 17 million women globally to receive free mammograms and breast cancer screenings, educated more than 100 million women about breast cancer, and funded promising research into the causes of breast cancer and ways to prevent the disease. Avon raises funds for the Crusade through the sale of Avon "Pink Ribbon" products, and through events such as the U.S. Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series, which is the Foundation's largest fund-raising source.  

SOURCE Avon Foundation for Women