The Avon Foundation was founded in 1955 in the hopes of improving the lives of women and their families. Over the past fifty-seven years, this mission has been brought to life through two key areas of focus: breast cancer and domestic violence. Many people do not realize that the Avon foundation aims to help women with numerous types difficulties they may face throughout their life; most people only know about their crusade to end breast cancer. To fully understand the massive impact the Avon foundation has made on the world, here are just a few of the programs they have funded in the past decade:
1. The Avon Heart of America Fund - to support the families of those lost on September 11, 2001.
2. The Avon Yellow Ribbon Fund - to assist military service personal lost or wounded in Iraq and other armed conflict.
3. The Avon Heart of Asia Campaign - to assist victims of the tsunami in southeast Asia.
4. The Avon Foundation for Haiti Relief - to assist the American Red Cross response fund and Doctors without Borders who saved countless lives.
While this is an impressive list, it only scratches the surface of all that the Avon Foundation has done. They have also funded programs such as Project HOPE and the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Money has also been donated to aid those affected by Hurricane Katrina as well as, those affected by teen dating abuse. It is no surprise, that the Avon Foundation has grown into the largest corporate-affiliated foundation focused on causes that most impact women. Not only has Avon provided support and shelter to those in need, but they had also raised and donated more than $860 million dollars by 2011.
The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade is what the Avon Foundation is most known for, and for a good reason. It was founded in the UK in 1992 and since then it has grown to include programs in more than 50 countries focused on advancing access to care and to finding a cure. Of that $860 million dollars, $740 million was donated worldwide to make a significant and lasting difference towards breast cancer. Avon is using their time and money to truly focus on ended breast cancer. Their researchers aim to understand the causes of breast cancer in women, the changes in breast cells that give rise to cancer, markers for disease, and how breast cancer progresses.
A video documenting the recent Avon Walk held in Prague, Czech Republic.
The most notable fundraising effort made by the Avon Foundation is the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Originally founded in 2003, it has now spread nationally and worldwide to more than 50 different countries. Since it began, 173,000 people have walk and have raised $445 million dollars! In 2012, eight cities in America have committed to hosting an Avon walk. Santa Barbara, New York City, Charlotte, Houston, Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco will each help aid the fight against breast cancer.
I will be walking in Charlotte, NC where last year more than 900 hundred people walked. Of those 900, there were 108 breast cancer survivors and together they raised $1.7 million. Of the money raised, the Avon Foundations donates locally, regionally, and nationally to support breast cancer awareness and education, screening and diagnosis, access to treatment, support services, and academic research. Over $15 million dollars has been donated to organizations and institutions in North and South Carolina, including the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, Carolinas Healthcare system, and Duke University.
This year does happen to be the 10th birthday of the Avon Walk and the Charlotte walk that I will participate in will mark the end of the eight walks in 2012. Seeing that I love birthdays, I could not be more excited to be a part of such a historical event. I urge all of you to recognize all that the Avon Foundation has done for women and their families since it was created in 1955 and to make a donation in order to help continue their cause. You never know what life has planned for you and it is comforting to know there are countless women and men around the world who will be there to help you in a time of crisis. So, return the favor and help those who need it now.
In only one more week, Breast Cancer Awareness month will be upon us! Start planning a way to celebrate the cause wether it means participating in a local fundraiser or simply by purchasing some Pink apparel. For those interested in making a donation, please visit my Avon page. And remember, no donation is too small!
