During the weekend of October 11, 2002, I will be participating in a very special and powerful event in the fight against breast cancer. It’s called the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day.

I’ll walk 60 miles from Bear Mountain to New York City with more than 2000 other people to raise money for breast cancer awareness and prevention. The net proceeds from the event will support nonprofit breast health programs in every region of the country as well as medical research on breast cancer. The Avon Products Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, will award grants to these types of organizations to fund or to further their activities.

As a walker-participant, I’ve promised to raise $2000 in pledges. But I need your help! Would you please consider making a fully tax-deductible pledge to help me meet my goal before the May 15th pledge due date? I’ve enclosed a pledge form and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Please look the form over and designate the amount that is right for you. Keep in mind how far I’ll be walking and how hard I’ll have to train for the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day between now and October.

This year, more than 180,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Over 40,000 will die. That’s one reason I’m walking. The other reason is that my grandmother died from breast cancer in May 1998. My aunt Lucy died of larynx cancer in 1997. My aunt Florence died of pancreatic and liver cancer in 1993. My uncle George died from stomach cancer in 1990. The odds are that you, too, know someone – an acquaintance, a friend, a family member – who has been touched by cancer.

For some time, I have looked for a way to make an impact on this problem – something big and meaningful. When I heard about the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day event, I knew it was the right time and the right thing for me to do. But I can’t do it alone. I hope that you’ll share this incredible adventure with me by supporting me in my fund-raising efforts.