Avon and thousands of Filipinos from different walks of life heeded the Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer (KGBC) advocacy’s passionate call to arms as they came together at the SM Mall of Asia Open Grounds to Do Something Beautiful Against Breast Cancer for the 2013 Manila Walk and Run Event.

This year’s campaign speaks to the Filipino’s innate trait of being matulungin or helpful, doing something for someone because you are capable and are willing to help another in need. It also encourages everyone to show their own brand of support for the cause – via the online and social media platforms, and concluding with their active participation in the 5k and 10k Run Events, or the Walk during the advocacy’s culminating event. 

Hosted by GMA 7’s and KGBC Ambassador Solenn Heusaff, with a roster of Kapuso stars namely, Lyn Ching, Love Anover, Tonipet Gaba,Luane Dy, Kris Bernal, Alden Richards, Rich Asuncion, and Mike Tan, the event officially opened with the runners gun start at 5am, followed by an exhilarating pre-walk program. One of the morning’s highlights was a moving testimonial by breast cancer survivor Nedy Severino. 

Avon Philippines’ new President and General Manager, Julie Tatarczuk, shared her gratitude for such an overwhelming turnout for the walk and run events. “As you know, championing the breast cancer cause is part of the Avon DNA. Every year, we put this commitment into action through our Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer campaign where we raise funds for sufferers and, more importantly, raise awareness on the disease.”

She continued, “Through the Do Something Beautiful campaign, which marks the 21st year of KGBC, and your unwavering support, we are making sure that more people are made aware of breast cancer, which translates to more people having the chance not to fall victim to the disease.” 

The2013 Walk was led by Tatarczuk, Heusaff, Avon officials, representatives from partners Philippine Cancer Society, GMA Network Inc., SM Supermalls, Sony Philippines, Bounty Fresh, and Ford Philippines. Major sponsors AP Cargo, Nikon, The Peninsula Manila, Cris Sports, Fitness and Athletics, and PLDT DSL were also present and several had booths for event participants.

A good number of major schools and universities in Metro Manila also sent delegations to show support for the breast cancer cause.

Proceeds from the KGBC events will go to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Breast Care Center and selected provincial hospitals.

Actively supporting the cause marks the beginning of finding a solution—and   with   no   one   being exempt from the life-threatening repercussions of breast cancer, it is everyone’s responsibility to make a contribution by ‘Doing Something Beautiful’ towards the fight against this deadly disease.

Clearly, with this year’s Avon KGBC Walk and Run events, it remains the commitment of every Filipino—whether sufferer, survivor or family member—to do his or her part to help win this noble battle.

Learn more details about the cause at www.avon.com.ph or facebook.com/AvonPhilippines, and @AvonPH on Twitter and Instagram.