Avon spearheads advocacy against breast cancer
Avon-Iloilo's Executives and Sales Leaders.
Sitting from left are Teresita Gringalao, Linda
Edria, Myrna Koopmans and Evelyn Tingson.
Standing from left are BSTs Anne Mercado and
Ness Gustilo, ZM Chyd Calsena, Louie Migne,
ZM Judy Castillo and OM Boy Paredes
* The biggest event will be the 2007 Walk Against Breast Cancer, which gathers thousands of participants annually. The walk in Iloilo is on October 21, starting from the Avon Iloilo Branch
Well into its 15th year of working towards helping women win the fight against breast cancer, Avon remains the world's leading corporate crusader against the disease. To date, the global company for women has raised over $500 million to advance breast cancer education and awareness, screening and diagnosis, access to treatment, support services, and scientific research in over 50 countries. In the Philippines, Avon's efforts have helped establish the Philippine General Hospital Breast Care Center (PGH-BCC) and donate much needed equipment to government hospitals in the provinces, thus empowering women across the archipelago against the disease.
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer press launch
participants. Sitting from left are Ma. Stella Paspe
(WVMC), Dr. Doris Mendoza (President- Bosom
Friends), Lally Nava (wife of the Governor,
Province of Guimaras), Lynnie Denila (President
of Zonta, Avon's Hello Tomorrow Fund winner) and
Eva Zaldivar (USA-Head of PE Dept). Standing from
left are Rommel Castro (Walk Director), Boy
Paredes (Operations Manager), Zone Manager
Chyd Calsena, Guia Tendencia (Bosom Friends
Treasurer), Dr. Willy Polido (WVMC), Avon's SL
Myrna Koopmans, Zone Manager Judy Castillo
and Louie Migne (Avon's Head for Corporate
Communications)
The Philippine Cancer Registry lists more than 10,000 breast cancer cases among Filipinas every year with a mortality of 40 percent within the year of diagnosis. While a cure for the disease is yet to be found, early detection and treatment remain the best defense. Avon hopes that with modern developments in medicine, coupled with efforts to increase awareness and encourage women to get examined, this number will slowly but surely decrease. The company has thus made it a major mission to make services and information on the early detection and treatment of breast cancer more widely available.
"We have received some very encouraging feedback about our mission," says bob Briddon, Avon Philippines general manager. "But out work is really far from over. Our goal is to help eradicate this disease that downs one in 33 women across the globe. Avon will stay committed to helping women and their families as long as it is necessary."
In October, known globally as the breast cancer awareness month, Avon Philippines will embark on several activities and programs to raise awareness and mobilize men and women to join the fight against breast cancer.
The biggest event will be the 2007 Walk Against Breast Cancer, which gathers thousands of participants annually. This year, it will be held at the SM Mall of Asia parking lot, behind the IMAX Theater, in Manila on October 7; Melvin Jones Park in Baguio on October 14; and Iloilo Avon Branch on October 21.
Avon will also donate P5 from the sale of every Skin-So-Soft Ultra Healing Hand and Body Lotion to the cause.