The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which offers a choice of walking a marathon or a marathon and a half over a weekend, kicks off the 2006 season with a return to the DC area on April 29-30. In its first three years, the Avon Walk series has raised more than $100 million for access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. Last year's Avon Walk Washington, DC, included over 2,200 participants and raised more than $5.2 million.

On the Avon Walk DC's first day - Saturday, April 29 - walkers step off from an opening ceremony at the Kennedy Center and have the choice of walking 13.1 or 26.2 miles, supported by crew and volunteers every step of the way. Participants, including walkers and crew, will spend Saturday night at the "Wellness Village" at George Washington Middle School in Alexandria, VA, their home away from home, which features two-person sleeping tents, hot showers, prepared meals, entertainment, comprehensive medical services and other special services. On Sunday, April 30, all walkers will complete another 13.1 miles, concluding with a celebratory closing ceremony back at the Kennedy Center that will include announcements of new local funding grants made possible by their journey.

"This event provides an opportunity to raise both significant money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer," said Avon Foundation Executive Director Carol Kurzig. "In addition to supporting friends and family who are facing the disease, participants see the direct impact of their efforts in the many organizations funded by Avon Walks. The impact on the breast cancer cause will be felt for years to come because of what dedicated women and men undertook for two days."

To participate in the Avon Walk Washington, DC, each walker commits to raising a minimum of $1,800 in donations. Funds raised at Avon Walks are managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation [a 501(c)(3) public charity] and are awarded to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations to support five areas of the breast cancer cause, including awareness and education, screening and diagnosis, access to treatment, support services, and scientific research.

Locally, funds raised through the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series have created and supported essential breast cancer resources. In 2004, the Avon Foundation-funded Capital Breast Care Center opened in DC under the auspices of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center/Georgetown University, providing much-needed breast care services to the underserved population of the District and surrounding area. Additional Greater Metro Region organizations supported through the Avon Foundation include the Breast Cancer Resource Committee, Food and Friends, Georgetown University, Howard University, Inova Health System Foundation, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, University of Virginia and Whitman-Walker Clinic/Lesbian Services Program Breast Health Initiative.

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Washington, DC, is the first of eight noncompetitive events for women and men of all fitness levels held throughout the US. Additional Walk cities and dates include: Boston, MA, May 20-21; Chicago, IL, June 3-4; Denver, CO, June 24-25; San Francisco, CA, July 8-9; Los Angeles, CA, September 16-17; New York, NY, October 7-8; and Charlotte, NC, October 21-22.

To register or to learn more about participating in an Avon Walk for Breast Cancer call 800-510-WALK or visit www.avonwalk.org.