Yorkville Woman Fights Back Against Breast Cancer

Kim Leslie of Yorkville will join thousands of women and men in the upcoming Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Chicago, raising funds and awareness that will help defeat breast cancer and support those facing the disease.  

Kim will participate in the non-competitive event, which offers the option of walking a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) over the weekend of May 31 and June 1. This is her first time participating in the Avon Walk, and she is training hard and raising funds in preparation for the event.

Kim was inspired to take part in the Avon Walk Chicago because her late grandmother, Irene Leslie, survived breast cancer more than 25 years ago. Kim also has several friends whom have either personally battled breast cancer or have close family members who have fought this battle. 

“Every year, thanks to thousands of participants like Kim, 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.  “For the past decade, tens of thousands of dedicated women and men took personal action to help others through the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. We are truly inspired by our participants’ passion and enthusiasm.”

The Avon Walk Chicago is one of eight weekend walks taking place in 2014.  The complete 2014 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer schedule includes: Houston (April 12-13), Washington, DC (May 3-4), Boston (May 17-18), Chicago (May 31 -June 1), San Francisco (July 12-13),  Santa Barbara, Calif. (September 6-7), New York City, (October 18-19), and Charlotte, N.C. (October 25-26). 

Kim Leslie has set a fundraising goal of $1,800. To support Kim Leslie’s fundraising campaign, donations can be sent to made online at http://info.avonfoundation.org/goto/kimleslie .

Funds raised by Kim and the thousands of other Avon Walk participants are awarded by the Avon Foundation for Women, a 501(c)(3) public charity, to help ensure anyone facing a breast cancer diagnosis gets the care they need regardless of their ability to pay, and to help fund breast cancer research. For a complete list of Avon Foundation for Women funding, visit http://www.avonwalk.org/see-your-impact/where-the-money-goes.html.

The Avon Walk series, the Avon Foundation’s largest fund-raising event, comprises eight non-competitive weekend fund-raising 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 to prepare physically for the event, which offers the option of walking a marathon (26.2 miles), or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) over a weekend. Among the nearly 15,000 participants in 2013 were men and women of all ages, from nearly every state and several countries, including more than 2,000 breast cancer survivors. This large, diverse group was united by their shared desire to eradicate breast cancer and help those touched by the disease.

Kim will start her Walk weekend with an opening ceremony early Saturday morning, followed by walking up to a marathon that day. Both walkers and volunteer Crew spend the night at the “Wellness Village,” a “tent city” featuring two-person sleeping tents, hot showers, prepared meals and support services.  On Sunday, all walkers complete the final 13.1-mile leg of their journey, culminating in a moving closing ceremony during which the Avon Foundation presents local grants to leading breast cancer care and research organizations so funds immediately benefit the community. The Avon Foundation also awards hundreds of additional grants to breast cancer research and access programs across the country. 

For more information or to register for an Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 888-541-WALK.