How far can you go to win the fight against breast cancer?

As the foremost corporate advocate of women’s health, Avon launched the multifaceted awareness and fundraising initiative dubbed Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer (KGBC) to help indigent Filipino women who suffer from the disease.

Breast cancer claims thousands of lives around the world every year, and to date, it remains the number one killer of Filipino women. The Philippine Cancer Registry lists more than 10,000 cases with a mortality rate of 40 percent, and the numbers go up annually. The Philippines now holds the highest incidence rate of breast cancer in the Asian region and is considered to have the 9th highest incidence rate in the world.

Anyone can be a victim of breast cancer ―mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, and men, regardless of age, race, social or economic status. This makes breast cancer and the fight against it, everyone’s major responsibility.

There may be no walking away from the disease, but walking as ONE can help bring us closer to a cure.

Through KGBC, launched locally in 2002 in partnership with the Philippine Cancer Society, Avon helped establish the Breast Care 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 provided much-needed equipment to selected provincial hospitals.

This year, Avon’s commitment to the breast cancer cause continues with the launch of We Walk as One ―Avon Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer 2009. A non-competitive event that aims to raise awareness and funds, Avon Walk will be held on October 4, 2009, simultaneously in 7 key cities around the country – Manila (SM Mall of Asia Open Grounds), Cagayan de Oro (Avon CDO branch), Cebu (Avon Cebu branch), Legaspi (Avon Legaspi branch), Malolos (Bulacan Provincial Capitol), Vigan (Plaza Burgos), and Iloilo (SM Iloilo). Coming from a record-setting walk event last year which gathered close to 40,000 walkers in 16 locations nationwide, Avon looks to setting a new record this year by getting 50,000 men, women and children to take a step for the breast cancer crusade.

To join, simply purchase the Limited Edition KGBC shirt for only P149.00 to participate in the walk events. P20 from each shirt sold will go towards the continued support of the PGH Breast Care Center and selected provincial hospitals.

You can also support the cause by purchasing the Avon Naturals Water Lily and Aloe Hand and Body Lotion for P109. P5 from each bottle of lotion sold is earmarked for the breast cancer fund. This product will be available for the whole month of October through the Avon representatives.

This year’s breast cancer crusade partners include GMA Network, Inc., Globe, Reebok, SM Supermalls, The Peninsula Manila, AstraZeneca, Rotary Club International District 3810 and Polytechnic University of the Philippines.