Walk as one against cancer

CEBU, Philippines - Breast cancer has claimed thousands of lives around the world. To date, it is considered as the number one killer of Filipino women. According to the Philippine Breast Cancer Network, the Philippines has the highest incidence rate of breast cancer in Asia and is considered to have the 9th highest incidence rate in the world today. While there is no cure yet for this dreaded disease, helping those who are afflicted with cancer has become an advocacy for many companies.

Avon, the leading global beauty company and the world’s largest direct seller, has made women’s health, particularly breast cancer awareness, one of their foremost corporate advocacies with their Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer program. Launched in 2002, the program has helped establish the Breast Care Center at the Philippine General Hospital and has successfully funded the treatment of indigents, initiated support groups, conducted regular gatherings for those with breast cancer and survivors and has provided much-needed equipment to selected provincial hospitals. In Cebu, the Cancer Center at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center is the beneficiary of Avon’s Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer program.

This year, to further promote its advocacy on breast cancer awareness and to raise funds for their beneficiaries, Avon launched the We Walk As One – Avon Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer 2009.

We Walk As One is a non-competitive event to be held on October 4, simultaneously in seven key cities in the country – Manila (SM Mall of Asia), Cebu (Avon Cebu branch), Cagayan de Oro (Avon CDO branch), Legaspi (Avon Legaspi branch), Malolos (Bulacan Provincial Capitol), Vigan (Plaza Burgos) and Iloilo (SM Iloilo).

 “Avon is committed to breast cancer advocacy because breast cancer is the number one killer of women. Awareness and early detection are the closest things to a cure,” said Faith Aranton, Avon Brand Communications Manager. Avon, Aranton said, has been holding walks for the past four years to raise funds, as well as awareness. “Walking As One will bring us closer to helping those with breast cancer,” she added.

Aside from joining the walk, one can also show support to the breast cancer cause by purchasing the limited edition Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer shirt for only P149. P20 from each shirt sold will go to Avon’s beneficiary here in Cebu, the VSMMC Cancer Center. Another way of supporting the cause is to purchase Avon’s Water Lily and Aloe Hand and Body Lotion for P109. P5 from each bottle of lotion sold will go to the breast cancer fund.

During the We Walk As One launch here in Cebu, one of Avon’s speakers, Jennifer Pastedio, a working mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 2B last 2007, said that although she is not used to speaking in front of people, she did not hesitate when she was asked to talk about her battle against breast cancer. “After all that I have been through, I want to step up and make a difference. I want to show others that in our own little way, we can make a difference,” she said.

Breast cancer chooses no one. Anybody can be a victim and the disease can strike anytime. Make breast cancer one of your advocacies. Walk as one against breast cancer on October 4.

For more information about We Walk As One, call or visit the Avon Cebu Branch.