Thousands upon thousands of footsteps resounded on the streets in 16 key cities in the country as close to 39,000 walkers joined Avon Philippines in its mission to fight breast cancer. The “I Walk with 30,000 for a Healthier Tomorrow” 3K fun walk set a Philippine record Sunday morning as the first ever 16-city simultaneous event in the country. The mood was festive as people from all walks of life gathered at the various event venues. And the spirit of commitment to support the cause was indomitable, despite heavy rainfall experienced by some of the locations.

Avon Philippines President and General Manager Bob Briddon, in his welcome remarks to the 15,000-strong crowd gathered at the Manila event, reiterated the commitment of Avon in championing the breast cancer cause, emphasizing the need for more support and funds for the increasing number of breast cancer sufferers in the country, and thanking everyone who has had a hand in making the event a tremendous success.

“As the largest corporate supporter of the breast cancer cause, Avon is proud to be in this fight with you on our side. Together, we can make a difference. Together, healthier tomorrows for women will be less of a dream and become more a reality,” Mr. Briddon said.

All the walk events were well attended by Avon ladies and associates with their families and representatives from various sectors led by top officials from the different city governments, non-government organizations, breast cancer support groups and schools. The Manila event, held in Asia’s biggest shopping complex, SM Mall of Asia, featured luminaries including Sen. Loren Legarda, US Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank Curtis Chin and popular local movie, TV and news personalities.

Participants were treated to an exciting pre-walk program that included fun warm-up exercises, Breast Cancer reminders and wellness tips from invited health officials and oncologists and Avon products and samplers.

Actual number of walkers exceeded Avon Philippines’initial target of 30,000 participants. Apart from Manila’s 15,000 walkers, an average of 2,000 walkers came out in 15 other locations nationwide including Bacolod, Batangas, Cabanatuan, Cagayan De Oro, Cauayan, Cebu, Dagupan, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena, Malolos, Manila, San Fernando, Tacloban, and Vigan.

Avon Walk aims to raise awareness on the breast cancer cause as well as raise funds through the sale of the KGBC T-Shirt for the continued support of the PGH Breast Care Center and selected provincial hospitals. In addition, Avon Philippines also earmarked for the breast cancer fund P5.00 from every sale of the Skin So Soft Ultra Healing Lotion available for the first 2 weeks of October.

It was truly an Avon Walk to remember for the almost 39,000 men, women and children who all walked together in hopes of helping create healthier tomorrows for women everywhere!