Chino Hills, CA (7/29/10) - She is IN IT TO END IT! Rondee Mullenaux of Chino Hills will join together with thousands of dedicated women and men to raise funds and awareness to help defeat breast cancer in the upcoming Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Santa Barbara. Rondee will participate in this non-competitive event, which offers the option of completing a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles), over the weekend of September 11th. This is her fifth time participating in the Avon Walk, and she is training hard and raising funds in preparation for the event.
Rondee was first inspired to take part in the Avon Walk because her Grandmother passed away from this disease before meeting her first great grandchild, Kelci. However, her inspiration was ignited by survivors like her daughter's Nana (a 2-time survivor), Toi (fighting the good fight still) and a recent, soon-to-be survivor, Lyd's Mom.
"Thanks to thousands of people like Rondee, we are able to save lives by providing significant funds for vital breast cancer research as well as access to care, screening, support services and education," said Carol Kurzig, President of the Avon Foundation for Women, the public charity that produces the events. "In these difficult economic times, the funds raised are more important than ever - more people are without adequate insurance, and breast cancer organizations are losing funding. The commitment of people like Rondee who participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer events helps bring us closer to a world without breast cancer."
The Avon Walk Santa Barbara is one of nine weekend walks taking place in 2010. The complete 2010 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer schedule includes: Houston, TX (April 10-11); Washington, DC (May 1-2); Boston, MA (May 15-16); Chicago, IL (June 5-6); Rocky Mountains, CO (June 26-27); San Francisco, CA (July 10-11); Santa Barbara, CA (September 11-12); New York, NY (October 16-17); and Charlotte, NC (October 23-24).
The Avon Walks are non-competitive weekend fundraising walks for all fitness levels that require a significant commitment from participants. Each walker is required to raise at least $1,800 in donations and undertake months of training to prepare for the event, which offers the option of walking a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) over two days. Among the walkers' ranks in 2009 were men and women of all ages, including more than 2,000 breast cancer survivors, from all 50 states and numerous other countries. This large, diverse group was united by their shared desire to eradicate breast cancer and help those touched by the disease.
Rondee will start her Walk weekend with an inspiring opening ceremony early Saturday morning and then spend most of the day walking. Both walkers and volunteer crew spend Saturday night at the "Wellness Village," featuring two-person sleeping tents, hot showers, prepared meals and support services. On Sunday, all walkers set out on the route again, with their final miles culminating in an impactful closing ceremony, including the presentation of local grants so funds immediately benefit deserving medical centers and breast cancer organizations in the community.
Rondee has set a fundraising goal of $2,000. To support Rondee's fundraising campaign, donations can be sent to her website at www.avonwalk.org/goto/Rondeevoux. She will also be holding in a fundraiser at the 2nd Avenue Saloon in Downtown Upland on Tuesday, August 17, 2010.
Funds raised by Rondee and the thousands of other Avon Walk participants are awarded by the Avon Foundation for Women, a 501(c)(3) public charity, to help make sure anyone facing a breast cancer diagnosis gets the care they need regardless of their ability to pay, and to help find a cure for breast cancer. Since the series was launched in 2003, more than 120,000 participants in Avon Walks have raised more than $320 million to support leading cancer centers, research institutions and community-based organizations in the Walk regions and nationwide. For a complete list of Avon Foundation for Women funding, visit www.avonfoundation.org.
For more information or to register for an Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 888-541-WALK.
