A Walk in the City:
Personal Reflections of an Avon Walker for Breast Cancer

Janne Rochlin, Director of Client Services, Barnes & Conti

I don’t have breast cancer. Neither does my daughter, my two daughters-in-law, nor any of the five women I work with here at Barnes & Conti. But, since a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes, and, if statistics hold true, one out of every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime there is a good (or maybe, bad) chance that at least one of us will be among them. And if one of us has the disease, ALL of us will be, in some way, affected.

A Few Facts About Breast Cancer in the U.S.

• A woman has a one in eight chance of developing invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. In 1975, the chances were one in eleven.
• This year, an estimated 40,000 women will die from the disease.
• Breast cancer takes another life every 14 minutes.
• Another woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 3 minutes.
• An estimated three million women are living with breast cancer. One million of them don't yet know it.
• There is no cure for breast cancer. Early detection is still the best defense

In 2001 I decided that I would dedicate my charity fund-raising to the Avon Foundation through the Avon Walks for Breast Cancer. Again this year, I walked with thousands of other people to demonstrate awareness of this disease and to raise money for the foundation. I admit; walking is not entirely altruistic. I needed to find a way to improve my own overall fitness and thus help stave off the disease. Walking for over 40 miles in two days and sleeping in two-person tent in the San Francisco “summer” (howling winds and pea-soup fog for those of you who have not been here in June and July) required that I get up and get moving. Add to that the challenge of fund-raising, asking people for money—could I just walk another 100 miles instead?

“Walking for over 40 miles in two days and sleeping in two-person tent in the San Francisco “summer” (howling winds and pea-soup fog for those of you who have not been here in June and July) required that I get up and get moving.”

Why did I choose the Avon Foundation among all the worthy organizations dedicated to the elimination of breast cancer? The Avon Foundation was established to provide much needed services and financial support in the cities, towns and villages where Avon does business. The Avon Foundation has proven its dedication to women and girls through an expanding network of life-enhancing programs.

The Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade has raised more than $250 million for the cause worldwide in just ten years.  That money goes to support medical research into the possible causes of and cure for breast cancer, education and early detection programs, and clinical care and support services for women with breast cancer in communities across the country.  There is a special focus on helping medically underserved women—the poor, minorities, the elderly, or those with inadequate health insurance.  And much of the money granted by the Foundation goes back to the communities where it was raised, supporting everything from local grassroots programs to national organizations. Today, Avon is the world's leading corporate supporter of the breast cancer cause.

The experience of walking with people of all ages, from all backgrounds, is life-changing. I have met survivors; some who are double and triple survivors, inspired me with their drive and spirit. I have met family members: daughters, sons, spouses, mothers and fathers, of those who were lost to the disease and experienced their dedication and commitment to the memories of their loved ones. I grew closer to my own daughter than I have ever been as we shared this experience.

“The experience of walking with people of all ages, from all backgrounds, is life-changing. I have met survivors; some who are double and triple survivors, inspired me with their drive and spirit.”

So we will continue to walk…and walk…and walk. I am signed up to walk in San Francisco again in 2004. I hope to walk in Los Angeles and to volunteer as a crew member in the other four scheduled walks. Rachel, my daughter, hopes to walk in 4–6 events. For each event, we must raise at least $1,800. We will be holding candle parties, jewelry parties, any other kind of party we can think of to raise money.

I have designed a breast cancer dedication bracelet. Each bracelet is made of pink Czech crystals and sterling silver beads and has a sterling silver breast cancer ribbon charm dangling from the bracelet. The bracelets cost $30 each with all profits going directly to the Avon Walk fund. If you would like to purchase a bracelet, please email me (jrochlin at barnesconti.com). If you would like to make a donation to the walk, visit www.avonwalk.org and follow the links to support a walker. For my family and for my friends; for those who do not have the disease and who, with the help of the Avon Foundation and other foundations like it, won’t get it; for those who have it and are fighting; for those who had it and won; for those who had it and lost; in their honor, I walk. I hope some of you will consider walking with me. For more information on the Avon Foundation, please visit www.avoncompany.com/women/avonfoundation/

Need more information? Call us at 510.644.0911 or send us an email.

Copyright 2014, Barnes & Conti Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.