AVON 39 THE WALK TO END BREAST CANCER RAISES $4.6 MILLION
IN SAN FRANCISCO AT 13TH ANNUAL EVENT
More than 2,500
Women and Men conquered 39.3-miles to crush breast cancer
San Francisco, CA, July 12, 2015 – AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer, formerly known as the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, continued this
weekend in San Francisco raising $4.6 million to accelerate breast
cancer research, improve access to screening, diagnosis and treatment, and
educate people about breast cancer.
AVON 39 San Francisco – the fifth of seven events across the country to unveil the new theme #Powerof39 – drew more than 2,500 participants from 43 states and Washington, D.C., including 293 breast cancer survivors and 330 men.
AVON 39 San Francisco – the fifth of seven events across the country to unveil the new theme #Powerof39 – drew more than 2,500 participants from 43 states and Washington, D.C., including 293 breast cancer survivors and 330 men.
“We were thrilled
to continue the AVON 39 series in San Francisco, where more
than 2,500 39ers united with one common goal: to eliminate breast cancer,” said Jill Surdyka, AVON 39 National Ambassador.
“The
grants given today will help us do just that – and will help us to further our
goal in providing services to those in need, educating the public, and crushing
breast cancer once and for all. The dedication, enthusiasm and spirit of our
participants is undeniable – and we’re extremely grateful for their ongoing
support.”
San
Francisco AVON 39er, Alex Loveman, shared her moving story and battle with
breast cancer to fellow participants, volunteers, family and friends. “When my
radiologist told me I had breast cancer, I was shocked and felt completely
numb. That’s the feeling I carried with me as I tried to wrap my head around
how I was going to raise my three-year-old daughter and two-month-old twins,”
said Loveman. “I was very fortunate to be part of a last-minute clinical study
that began working immediately. Between that and the support from my husband,
family and friends, the numb feeling began to fade. That’s what this weekend
means to me, support and community. This weekend we united as a community to
raise money and support the fight against breast cancer.”
Jill Surdyka, AVON 39 National Ambassador, announced
11 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 $41 million donated by the Avon
Foundation for Women to
organizations and institutions in Northern California since 2001.
Representatives from each Northern California organization
received grants on stage at the AVON 39 closing ceremony. They 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.
·
San Francisco General Hospital, the
home of the Avon Breast Cancer Center of Excellence, received a $500,000 grant
to support the “Avon Comprehensive Breast Care Center” at SFGH, which includes
a mobile mammography van, a high-risk genetic clinic, community outreach and breast
cancer research programs. The Avon Center has performed over 95,000 mammograms
and more than 12,000 breast procedures since it opened in 2004.
·
University of California San Francisco received a $300,000 grant to develop
novel therapies to reverse treatment resistance in hormone therapy resistant
metastatic breast cancer and reactivate a patient’s immune system to help fight
the cancer.
·
Project Open Hand the AVON 39 San
Francisco's food sponsor received a
$200,000 grant to serve more than 400 breast cancer clients this year, providing
more than 63,000 meals through Project Open Hand’s Homebound Critically Ill
Program.
·
Charlotte Maxwell Clinic received two grants totaling $175,000
to provide integrative medical services including acupuncture, Chinese herbs,
massage therapy and homeopathy and safety net support services for low-income
women with breast cancer, with a focus on patients with metastatic disease.
·
Paradigm Shift Therapeutics
received a grant of $150,000 to support of research that will enable
testing the role the protein CD47 plays in the development and spread of breast
cancer. This protein may improve a patient’s response to chemotherapy, help
reduce side effects and prevent breast cancer metastasis.
·
Alameda Health System Foundation received a grant of $125,000 to assist
high-risk patients in need of diagnostics and treatment services.
·
Women’s Cancer Resource Center received a grant of $125,000 to support
3,200 high-risk or diagnosed women with navigation, financial assistance,
education and support services.
·
Zero Breast Cancer received a grant of $100,000 to
continue its unique community-based, participatory approach to breast cancer
research to identify its causes and ultimately prevent it.
·
Cancer Resource Center of Mendocino received a $75,000 to grant to provide
patient navigation and support services to women with breast cancer who live in
some of the most rural parts of Northern California with a special focus on
Hispanic and Native American women.
·
Shanti Project received a $50,000
to grant provide one-on-one Care Navigation services to 175 underserved,
low-income women with breast cancer in San Francisco.
Event Details and Exciting New Elements
AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer San Francisco
began on Saturday, July 11 at 6:30 a.m. with an inspirational opening ceremony
at Fort Mason. During the opening ceremony, participants received woven ribbon
wristbands, called connection bands, to showcase who they are walking for. Participants
then walked 26.2 miles through the San Francisco area, supported by an all-volunteer crew
and cheered on by supporters. They spent Saturday night at Basecamp 39, which
was located at Corte Madera Town Park, and featured pink two-person tents, hot
showers, meals, and entertainment. New elements to the campgrounds included a
temporary tattoo parlor, assorted games, and nightly entertainment. A special
tent, Lounge 39, also allowed participants to relax.
On Sunday, July 12
after completing the final 13.1 miles, participants joined family and friends
to celebrate their achievement at a closing ceremony at Fort Mason where the
new grants were awarded. A DJ was onsite as participants crossed
the finish line and received finisher metals as a new keepsake of their
accomplishment.
Get Involved with AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer
The 2015 season is open for registration. Upcoming events will take place in Santa Barbara (September 12-13); and New York (October 17-18). For more information about AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer, visit www.avon39.org or join the #Powerof39 conversation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
The 2015 season is open for registration. Upcoming events will take place in Santa Barbara (September 12-13); and New York (October 17-18). For more information about AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer, visit www.avon39.org or join the #Powerof39 conversation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
About the Avon Foundation for Women
The Avon Foundation for Women is the world’s largest corporate-affiliated philanthropy focused on issues that matter most to women. Since its inception in 1955, the Avon Foundation has promoted or aided charitable, scientific, educational, and humanitarian activities, with a special emphasis on activities that improve the lives of women and their families. Through 2014, Avon global philanthropy, led by the Avon Foundation, has donated nearly $1 billion in more than 50 countries for causes most important to women. Today, Avon philanthropy focuses on funding breast cancer research and access to care through the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and efforts to reduce domestic and gender violence through its Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program. Visit www.avonfoundation.org for more information.
The Avon Foundation for Women is the world’s largest corporate-affiliated philanthropy focused on issues that matter most to women. Since its inception in 1955, the Avon Foundation has promoted or aided charitable, scientific, educational, and humanitarian activities, with a special emphasis on activities that improve the lives of women and their families. Through 2014, Avon global philanthropy, led by the Avon Foundation, has donated nearly $1 billion in more than 50 countries for causes most important to women. Today, Avon philanthropy focuses on funding breast cancer research and access to care through the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and efforts to reduce domestic and gender violence through its Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program. Visit www.avonfoundation.org for more information.
###
Encourage women around you to do the same. Don’t
forget, men can get breast cancer, too.
For breast cancer information and resources, visit avonfoundation.org.
For breast cancer information and resources, visit avonfoundation.org.
AVON 39
Thanks National Sponsor Reebok, Official Sponsors Tiger Balm, PL$, The Company
Store, Medical Sponsor Stanford Health Care, Supplier Sponsors San Francisco
Marriott Marquis, Go Go Squeez and Opening Ceremony Coffee Sponsor Cognizant.