Bahareh Sahebi To Walk In Avon Breast Cancer Walk

LOCAL CHICAGO RESIDENT JOINS IN FIGHT TO END BREAST CANCER WITH AVON FOUNDATION

SET TO PARTICIPATE IN WEEKEND-LONG

AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER ON June 6-7, 2009

Chicago, IL (3/12/2009) – Bahareh Sahebi of Buffalo Grove, IL will join together with other dedicated women and men to raise funds and awareness to help defeat breast cancer in the upcoming Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Chicago. Bahareh will participate in the noncompetitive 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 June 6-7, 2009. This is her first time participating in the Avon Walk, and she is training hard and raising funds in preparation for the event and plans to complete the entire 39.3 mile walk.

Bahareh was inspired to take part in the Avon Walk Chicago because throughout her life, she has witnessed several of her close family members fight with this disease and ultimately lose their battles. She also has two aunts who are survivors and their stories have been inspirational to Bahareh. In her own words Bahareh explains “While battling with Breast Cancer, my aunts have shown me that anything is possible if you believe. I have learned about unconditional love, courage, endurance, patience, and strength all from these two women who's spirits are larger than life itself.” She felt that there is no better way to honor the memory of those who lost their battle, and praise the strength and the courage of breast cancer survivors, than to participate in the Avon Walk Chicago in 2009.

“Thanks to thousands of people like Bahareh, 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, 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 Bahareh who participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer events helps bring us closer to a world without breast cancer.”

The Avon Walk Chicago is one of nine weekend walks taking place in 2009. The complete 2009 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer schedule includes: Houston, TX (April 4-5); Washington, DC (May 2-3); Boston, MA (May 16-17); Chicago, IL (June 6-7); Rocky Mountains, CO (June 27-28); San Francisco, CA (July 11-12); Los Angeles, CA (September 12-13); New York, NY (October 10-11); and Charlotte, NC (October 24-25).

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 to tackle the course, which offers the option of covering a marathon (26 miles) or a marathon and a half (39 miles) over two days. Among the walkers’ ranks in 2008 were men and women of all ages, including more than 1,400 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.

Bahareh will start his/her Walk weekend with an opening ceremony early Saturday morning, after which participants have the choice of walking 13.1 or 26.2 miles. 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 complete their final 13.1 miles that culminates in an inspiring closing ceremony, including the presentation of local grants so funds immediately benefit the community.

Bahareh has set a fundraising goal of $1800. To support Bahareh Sahebi’s fundraising campaign, donations can be sent to www.avonwalk.org/goto/bahareh.

Funds raised by Bahareh Sahebi and the thousands of other Avon Walk participants are awarded by the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. Since the series was launched in 2003 through 2008, the nearly 100,000 participants in the Avon Walks have raised over $268 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 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.

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