A walk against breast cancer

This morning, my wife, Beng, and I joined the more than 7,000 walkers (most were clad in pink t-shirts) of “Avon Walk against Breast Cancer 2007”.  It broke the record last year of about 6,500 walkers.

The event was held at the vicinity of SM Mall of Asia (MOA) in Pasay City, Philippines.   As early as 4:30 AM, the participants started to assemble at the SM MOA parking lot behind the IMAX theater.   Registration booths were set up in the area for the on-site registrants.  The registrants who donated P125 got the commemorative Avon Walk t-shirt.  Those who donated P525 and joined the walk received a special thank you kit from Avon worth over P1,000 and the t-shirt.

After the program, the 3-kilometer walk around the SM MOA started.  It was led by Avon Philippines general manager  - Mr.  Bob Brigham, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, GMA -7 “Igan” Arnold Clavio, and representatives from the event’s partners, the Philippine Cancer Society, GMA 7 and QTV, Astra Zeneca, SM Mall of Asia, Philippine Reclamation Authority, Stratworks, Run and Compete Enterprises.  Likewise, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) and the Polytechnic University of Philippines (PUP) participated in this event.

The Philippine Army and the Pasay City marching bands, who gave the tempos and the music while walking:

The “special” walk lasted for about an hour. (Actually, I still wanted to have another round or two). After the walk, Avon distributed a pack of Avon products to participants.

In the Philippines, the “Avon Walk against Breast Cancer 2007” shall also be held in Baguio City on October 14 and in Iloilo City on October 21, 2007.

Also, Avon shall donate P5 for every sale of Skin-So-Soft Ultra Healing Hand and Body Lotion for the cause.  Proceeds for this year’s event will benefit the Philippine General Hospital Breast Care Center, the Baguio General Hospital, and the Western Visayas Regional Hospital.

I learned that this has been the annual event for five years now to raise funds for advancing access to care, finding a cure for breast cancer, and eventually eradicate this disease.  Meantime, it supports the breast cancer victims and survivors and creates awareness to others for early detection.

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.  Let’s do our share.