Join the walk for breast cancer awareness

Residents can Walk For A Purpose at the 10th Annual Avon Justine iThemba Walkathon taking place on 25 October at Marks Park, Emmarentia, and help raise awareness of breast cancer.

“The two biggest stumbling blocks in breast healthcare in South Africa are awareness and access. The Avon Justine iThemba relationship with the Breast Health Foundation, through mobile education units, donations and involvement with the Walkathon beautifully addresses both these issues,” said Dr Carol Ann Benn, founder of the Breast Health Foundation.

Since 2006, Avon Justine has been hosting the annual iThemba Walkathon in order to help raise breast cancer awareness and spread the message that early detection saves lives.

Last year, the event attracted a record 21 500 participants to become the largest event of its kind in over 100 Avon markets worldwide.

“As part of our Beauty For A Purpose programme and in celebration of the 10th iThemba Walkathon we are hoping to have 25 000 people walking in the crusade against breast cancer this year; sharing the message that early detection saves lives, showing our support for the survivors and walking in remembrance of those who have sadly lost the battle,” said Vicky Saunders-Flaherty, Avon Justine public relations, internal communications and corporate affairs manager.

Beauty for a Purpose is Avon’s global brand statement focused on the company’s commitment to empowering independent Avon representatives and women around the world through beauty and financial independence.

Beauty for a Purpose provides a framework for the company to champion three defining areas: Avon’s beauty products of demonstrable quality and value; Avon’s earning opportunity, which allows millions of women around the world to build self-reliance and a better life for themselves and their families; and empowering women through corporate social responsibility.

In South Africa, Avon Justine’s corporate social responsibility programmes are focused on helping to end violence against women in South Africa as well as breast cancer education and awareness.

At this year’s Walkathon, adults pay R100 while children under 12 pay R75 to participate and toddlers up to the age of two enter for free.

The event will start with a 7.9km and a 5km walk at 8am and 8.30am respectively, with entertainment from DJs and performers, numerous enterprising food stalls and other activities available for participants to enjoy when they finish their walk.

When registering, participants can also buy a Woman & Home magazine ribbon which they can wear while walking and then dedicate on the Trees of Hope.

There will also be a kiddie’s corner to keep the toddlers and young children entertained. All participants must pre-register via www.ithembawalkathon.co.za or a printed entry form.

Team entries of 10 or more were due by 5 October, while individual entries were to be submitted by 12 October.

You can also register at the venue from 19 October to 24 October for R130 for adults and R75 for children.

You can also register your dogs to join the Walkathon at no extra cost.

Come and meet our celebrity spokespeople, Pabi Moloi, Azania Mosaka, Pearl Modiadie and Queen Motatle among others celebrities who will be there on the day.

Walkers will have the opportunity to make history through the #PoutForAPurpose world record attempt at this year’s iThemba Walkathon. An exciting part of the event, this year will be an Avon world record attempt for the highest number of people applying lipstick at the same event. For those not based in Johannesburg – put on your pinkest Avon pout, take a photograph and upload it to social media and #PoutForAPurpose.

As the world’s largest philanthropic supporter of women’s causes, Avon has donated over USD850 million globally toward breast cancer research, medical care, education and awareness. In South Africa R18 million has been donated to organisations such as the Breast Health Foundation (BHF) / Bosom Buddies, Look Good… Feel Better(LGFB) and the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa).

“It is estimated that with early detection, over 30 per cent of deaths due to breast cancer can be prevented, and events such as the Avon Justine iThemba Walkathon are a great way to spread the message that early detection really does save lives,” said Saunders-Flaherty.

Register now at www.ithembawalkathon.co.za