MANILA, Philippines - After being postponed in several locations around the Philippines due to severe weather conditions brought about by Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, the Avon Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer finally pushed through in Manila (SM Mall of Asia open grounds), Legaspi (Avon Legaspi branch), Vigan (Plaza Burgos), and Malolos (Bulacan Provincial Capitol), following the successful walks already held in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Iloilo.
Along with countless Filipinos who are staunch supporters of the cause, some of the country’s biggest names in politics and broadcast journalism graced the event, including US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, and broadcaster/economist Winnie Monsod, as well as actress/Avon breast cancer ambassador Iza Calzado and breast cancer survivor/Avon breast cancer ambassador Cathy Coma.
Well-known TV personalities Arnold Clavio, Susan Enriquez, Lyn Ching Pascual, Love Añover, Andy Smith, and Izzy Trazona took their places in satellite stages set up in different points along the walk to encourage and support the participants. Other special guests who took part in the program were celebrities Rainier Castillo, who helped lead the invocation, and singer Aicelle Santos, who performed the Avon KGBC song.
The Avon Walk is part of Avon’s worldwide Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer (KGBC) campaign, which was launched locally in partnership with the Philippine Cancer Society in 2002. Its continued success, which resulted from the overwhelming support from Filipinos across the nation, has helped KGBC establish the Philippine General Hospital’s (PGH) Breast Care Center, and even install a Mammography Unit there.
Funds are raised through the sale of the limited-edition KGBC T-shirt and the Avon Water Lily and Aloe Hand and Body Lotion, where P20 and P5, respectively, from each piece sold will go towards the continued support of the PGH Breast Care Center.
With so many people from different walks of life coming together to support the cause, it is clear that there is something good to be said about the strength of the human spirit and the unity that comes with people who gather together to fight for a cause that they are truly passionate about. The KGBC campaign, through the Avon Walk, proves that it is not just for the sufferers and survivors, but for every single person who believes that anything can be overcome if you do what you can to contribute to the solution.
This year’s Avon Walk was made possible with the support and cooperation of partners Philippine Cancer Society, GMA Network, Inc., Globe Telecom, Reebok, AstraZeneca, The Peninsula Manila, SM Supermalls, Rotary Club International District 3810, and Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
More information about Avon and its products can be found on the company’s web site, www.avon.com.ph.