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.

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 our 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."

This month of October, known globally as the breast cancer awareness month, Avon Philppines 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 Oct. 7; Melvin Jones Park in Baguio on October 14; and Iloilo Avon branch on October 21.

Avon will be also donate P5 from the sale of every Skin-So-Soft Ultra Healing Hand and Body Lotion to the cause. Proceeds from these efforts will benefit the PGH-BCC, Western Visayas Regional Hospital in Iloilo, and Baguio General Hospital.