Walking 39 miles Against Breast Cancer

Amanda Barber of Gainesville, VA will join together with other dedicated women and men to raise funds and awareness to help defeat breast cancer in the upcoming Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Washington, DC. Amanda will participate in the noncompetitive event, which offers the option of completing a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles), over the weekend of May 2-3. This is her second time participating in the Avon Walk, and she is training hard and raising funds in preparation for the event.

Amanda was inspired to take part in the Avon Walk Washington, DC because in early 2008 her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Amanda is walking with her sister to honor their mom and the fight she won over the last few months. Amanda’s mom was diagnosed with both breast and uterine cancer and after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation; she is officially now cancer free. Amanda and her sister will help find a cure for breast cancer so that their mom will never have to battle this disease again and other women will not have to go down that road.

“Thanks to thousands of people like Amanda, we are able to save lives by providing significant funds for vital breast cancer research as well as access to care, screening, support services and education,” said Carol Kurzig, President of the Avon Foundation, the public charity that produces the events. “In these difficult economic times, the funds raised are more important than ever – more people are without adequate insurance, and breast cancer organizations are losing funding. The commitment of people like Amanda who participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer events helps bring us closer to a world without breast cancer.”

The Avon Walk Washington, DC is one of nine weekend walks taking place in 2009. The complete 2009 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer schedule includes: Houston, TX (April 4-5); Washington, DC (May 2-3); Boston, MA (May 16-17); Chicago, IL (June 6-7); Rocky Mountains, CO (June 27-28); San Francisco, CA (July 11-12); Los Angeles, CA (September 12-13); New York, NY (October 10-11); and Charlotte, NC (October 24-25).

The Avon Walks are non-competitive weekend fundraising walks for all fitness levels that require a significant commitment from participants. Each walker is required to raise at least $1,800 in donations and undertake months of training to prepare to tackle the course, which offers the option of covering a marathon (26 miles) or a marathon and a half (39 miles) over two days. Among the walkers’ ranks in 2008 were men and women of all ages, including more than 1,400 breast cancer survivors, from all 50 states and numerous other countries. This large, diverse group was united by their shared desire to eradicate breast cancer and help those touched by the disease.

Amanda will start his/her Walk weekend with an opening ceremony early Saturday morning, after which participants have the choice of walking 13.1 or 26.2 miles. Both walkers and volunteer crew spend Saturday night at the “Wellness Village,” featuring two-person sleeping tents, hot showers, prepared meals and support services. On Sunday, all walkers complete their final 13.1 miles that culminates in an inspiring closing ceremony, including the presentation of local grants so funds immediately benefit the community.

Amanda has set a fundraising goal of $1800. To support Barber’s fundraising campaign, donations can be sent to http://tinyurl.com/WalkfortheCure. In addtion, Amanda is hosting a HUGE yard sale to be held on April 18th from 9AM-1PM at 7661 Framingham Court in Gainesville where ALL proceeds will go towards her Avon Walk.

Funds raised by Barber and the thousands of other Avon Walk participants are awarded by the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. Since the series was launched in 2003 through 2008, the nearly 100,000 participants in the Avon Walks have raised over $268 million to support leading cancer centers, research institutions and community-based organizations in the Walk regions and nationwide. For a complete list of Avon Foundation funding, visit www.avonfoundation.org.

For more information or to register for an Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 888-541-WALK.

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Remember: early detection can help save lives. Schedule your mammogram or clinical breast exam today. For more breast cancer information and resources, visit www.cancer.org (keyword breast cancer) or www.avonfoundation.org, where you can access free printable breast cancer informational literature.

BE SURE TO ATTEND THE YARD SALE ON APRIL 18th 9AM-1PM at 7661 FRAMINHAM CT. GAINESVILLE. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER!