News
ENLARGE
The seventh annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer season continued with the Avon Walk in Rocky Mountains in Summit County over the weekend, which raised more than $2.6 million to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. The Avon Walk Rocky Mountains is the fifth of nine Avon Walks this year, and the event attracted more than 1,400 participants drawn from 46 states, including 143 breast cancer survivors, who joined together to raise lifesaving funds and awareness for breast cancer.
During the Closing Ceremony in Breckenridge on the North Gondola Lot, walker and 1.5-year-breast cancer survivor Jennie Grimes (originally from Denver) now living in Chicago, IL was one of several speakers who provided an immediate reminder of the impact of breast cancer and the importance of taking personal action to make a difference.
“Two years ago, I was 27. In great shape. A vegetarian, non-smoking marathon runner with not a single cavity. I thought I was invincible,” said Jennie Grimes. “Until I felt the lump while showering. I went through the entire process of discovering and accepting my cancer pretty much by myself. Last year's Avon Walk quickly taught me that going it alone is not the way to go. This is a loving community moving 39.3 miles. Together.”
Carol Kurzig, President of the Avon Foundation for Women, announced during the Closing Ceremony a total of more than $1.1 million in grants to 6 local organizations, ensuring the funds raised immediately benefit the community. More grants are slated to be awarded throughout the year to breast cancer programs nationwide.
During the Avon Walk Rocky Mountains, which is a noncompetitive event, women and men had a choice of walking a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) over the weekend. The event kicked off Saturday with an early morning Opening Ceremony in Breckenridge. Following the ceremony, walkers traveled through the mountains, concluding at the Avon Walk “Wellness Village” in Frisco at Summit County Middle School, a “tent city” complete with two-person tents, hot showers, prepared meals, entertainment, and recreational activities.
On Sunday, walkers completed another 13.1 miles together, ending in Breckenridge where they were greeted by thousands of family and friends who shared in a closing ceremony, including the awarding of new grants.
To participate in the Avon Walk Rocky Mountains, each walker raised a minimum of $1,800 in donations. Funds raised are managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation for Women and awarded to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations to support five areas of the breast cancer cause, including awareness and education, screening and diagnosis, access to treatment, support services, and scientific research, all with a focus on the medically underserved.
To register, donate or for additional information, visit www.avonwalk.org.
During the Closing Ceremony in Breckenridge on the North Gondola Lot, walker and 1.5-year-breast cancer survivor Jennie Grimes (originally from Denver) now living in Chicago, IL was one of several speakers who provided an immediate reminder of the impact of breast cancer and the importance of taking personal action to make a difference.
“Two years ago, I was 27. In great shape. A vegetarian, non-smoking marathon runner with not a single cavity. I thought I was invincible,” said Jennie Grimes. “Until I felt the lump while showering. I went through the entire process of discovering and accepting my cancer pretty much by myself. Last year's Avon Walk quickly taught me that going it alone is not the way to go. This is a loving community moving 39.3 miles. Together.”
Carol Kurzig, President of the Avon Foundation for Women, announced during the Closing Ceremony a total of more than $1.1 million in grants to 6 local organizations, ensuring the funds raised immediately benefit the community. More grants are slated to be awarded throughout the year to breast cancer programs nationwide.
During the Avon Walk Rocky Mountains, which is a noncompetitive event, women and men had a choice of walking a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) over the weekend. The event kicked off Saturday with an early morning Opening Ceremony in Breckenridge. Following the ceremony, walkers traveled through the mountains, concluding at the Avon Walk “Wellness Village” in Frisco at Summit County Middle School, a “tent city” complete with two-person tents, hot showers, prepared meals, entertainment, and recreational activities.
On Sunday, walkers completed another 13.1 miles together, ending in Breckenridge where they were greeted by thousands of family and friends who shared in a closing ceremony, including the awarding of new grants.
To participate in the Avon Walk Rocky Mountains, each walker raised a minimum of $1,800 in donations. Funds raised are managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation for Women and awarded to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations to support five areas of the breast cancer cause, including awareness and education, screening and diagnosis, access to treatment, support services, and scientific research, all with a focus on the medically underserved.
To register, donate or for additional information, visit www.avonwalk.org.
