United! Survivors and patients walks on in their continuing fight over the Big C.

"Breast cancer claims thousands of lives around the world every year, and to date, it remains to be among the top killer of Filipino women.”  This hard fact is backed up by a staggering figure of 10,000 cases with a mortality rate of 40 percent as reported by the Philippine Cancer Registry. To add, the number of cases goes up annually and currently, the Philippines now holds the highest incidence rate of breast cancer in the Asian region and considered to have the 9th highest incidence rate in the world. 

In line with the on-going campaign on breast cancer awareness, many companies (private or otherwise) exert their effort in spreading the word of caution for breast cancer can cause grief to any mother, daughter, sister or friend.  And even though there is a low number of cases for men, they also suffer from breast cancer.  Thus, it affects anyone regardless of age, race, social and economic status. 

With this, Avon, a global beauty company and the foremost champion of the breast cancer crusade, recently concluded the annual Avon Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer 2009 themed as Walk as One. 

Since 2002, Avon has been actively staging breast cancer awareness campaigns and to raise funds for the benefit of indigent Filipino women who suffer from the disease.  And as a part of the yearly Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer (KGBC) campaign, Avon Philippines President and General Manager Bob Briddon says that, “In the same intensity that Avon is committed to providing women with meaningful earning opportunities and superior beauty products, we are as committed to championing causes that concern women.”

He further explains that, “Breast cancer is the cause closest to the heart of Avon because it affects the people closest to the heart of Avon—the women.”

“Our mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, nieces can fall victim to this disease.  That gives each one of us a reason to take a step and support the cause,” he says and explains that the Walk as One is a simultaneous awareness campaign that is held at seven key cities in the Philippines—Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Legazpi, Malolos, Vigan and Iloilo. 

Last year, Briddon relates that around 40,000 women, men and children joined the cause as it was held in 16 key cities.  Now, Avon looks at setting a new record of 50,000 participants. ‘The record number of walkers that supported the Avon walk last year has inspired us to aim for even more walkers to participate this year,” he enthuses and further explains that, “In the fight against breast cancer, the more people are made aware about the disease, the more chances they have of not falling victim to it.”

Moreover, since the launching of KGBC in 2002, Avon helped establish the Breast Cancer Center at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and has successfully funded the treatment of indigents, initiated support groups, conducted regular gatherings for sufferers and survivors, and provides much-needed equipment to selected provincial government hospitals.  

Indeed, Avon ceased to be just a brand for beauty products that every Filipino women enjoy rather, a company that helps champion the cause of women against breast cancer. Thus, Briddon concludes that, “we look at these Avon Walk events as a grand opportunity to deliver that message and help healthier tomorrows to more women.”

For further information, visit www.avon.com.ph.

(Write the author at wellbeing@mb.com.ph.)