The Avon cosmetics company is kicking off its 15th U.S. long-distance-walk fundraiser for breast cancer this weekend.
The company, and its Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, have dubbed the event Avon 39 Walk to End Breast Cancer.
The theme of the two-day walks, whose legs total 39.3-miles, is #FierceIsForever. Walk organizers are challenging each participant to raise at least $1,800 to accelerate breast cancer research, improve access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment, and educate others about the disease.
The walks will begin with an opening ceremony in each of the seven participating cities. Then the walkers will embark on the first leg of their challenge: 26.2 miles.
Volunteers and supporters help them along the walk, and the participants spend the night at Basecamp 39. They take a hot shower at the camp, and have a meal complete with entertainment. At volunteer medical team is at each basecamp if a need arises.
On the second day, participants complete the final 13.1 miles, then join family and friends to celebrate their achievement at a closing ceremony. At the ceremony, breast cancer organizations in the city will receive grants to continue their work.
The walks will start this weekend in Houston. The rest of the schedule is Washington, May 6-7; Chicago, June 3-4; Boston, June 24-25; San Francisco, July 8-9; Santa Barbara, Sept. 9-10; and New York, Oct. 14-15. Information on how to register in each city is available on that city’s link.
Last year, 13,000 participants took part in the walks, including 1,728 breast cancer survivors. The participants raised more than $30 million.
The 235,000 people who have participated in the walks since 2003 have raised nearly $620 million. The funds go to local, regional, and national breast cancer organizations.
“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,” Scott White, chief executive officer of New Avon, said in a press release. “The AVON 39 experience is such a point of pride for our thousands of Representatives and employees – many who will walk, donate or cheer to take us one step closer to ending breast cancer once and for all.”
“We are delighted to be entering our 2017 Walk season,” said Kevin Honeycutt, president and chief executive officer of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. “Funds from the Walks have greatly improved the daily lives of breast cancer patients across the country, especially those in high-risk, underserved populations, and we look forward to furthering this impact in 2017, with the ultimate goal of taking down breast cancer once and for all.”