Tuesday, September 16, 2008 Avon walk vs breast cancer set
A TOTAL of 30,000 participants are expected as the Avon's I Walk With 30,000 for a Healthier Tomorrow event kicks off simultaneously in 16 locations in the country, including Davao City, on October 5.
Avon Davao zone manager Annabelle Coloma, in the campaign launch held at the Avon Davao office conference room on Friday, said the event is now on its seventh year and serves as the highlight of the corporation's 30th anniversary.
Coloma said Avon wants to continue its advocacy on awareness of breast cancer among women since the illness, according to the Philippine Cancer Registry statistics, is the number one cause of mortality among Filipino women.
Dr. Eleanor Palabyab, a fellow of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society-Southern Mindanao Chapter, said nobody is spared from acquiring the dreaded disease.
"Anybody can have it, a 15-year-old or even those who are more mature in age. It's very important that we conduct breast self-examination regularly. Listen to your body, If you need to rest, rest. Don't push it because you will suffer the consequences. Take the proper diet, exercise. Cancer, just like any other disease, can be prevented," she said during her speech.
Annie Apoyon, an Avon sales agent, also shared her being a breast cancer survivor.
Event coordinator Kenneth Sai, meanwhile, said the three-kilometer non-competitive Avon Walk would start at the Avon building at 7 a.m. proceeding to Roxas Avenue, Ponciano Reyes St. turning to Jollibee Rizal and back to the Avon C. M. Recto office.
The walk, dubbed "Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer" (KGBC), aims to raise funds for the breast cancer patients at the Philippine General Hospital Breast Care Center.
Coloma said interested participants can buy a KGBC shirt that costs P149 with the P30 of which will be set aside for the special fund. It also serves as the fee for the Avon Walk participant.
"Students can also join by purchasing a KGBC color band worth P20. Five pesos from that will also be given to the breast cancer fund," she added. (MLSA)
