Dear Friend,

Thank you so much for helping me meet my 2008 fund raising goal!  This year, I’m walking in San Francisco for the fourth time with my sister. You may remember that our Mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2007 and had a mastectomy in January 2008.  One year later, Mom is doing well. Our family is so grateful for the new technology used in Mom’s diagnosis, surgery, and treatment. We know that these advances come in good part from your continued support to this cause and others like it.   Can you help me again? As in the past, you can donate online at http://avonwalk.org . Use the “Support a Walker” link to my 2009 San Francisco site.  I also have a link on my webpage http://valsplace.creativeaeon.com where you can also view this year’s quilt project, view a group photo from the 2008 walk (use the 2008 walk photos link) and read my blog journal. I will really try harder this year to blog on a regular basis and post all our training walks. Also, if you’d like quilt raffle tickets (they are $1 each or 6 for $5. with the drawing in mid-June), let me know.  All ticket sales go directly to my Avon walk account.

In addition to fundraising, I'm once again leading training walks through the spring and summer to prepare for the July 10-12th event.  Please join me for a variety of city walking tours and off-road adventures that will be listed on my website (http://valsplace.creativeaeon.com) and on the Avon site (http://avonwalk.org – look under 2009 SF Walk to find days and times). You can also email me if you’d like to be added to my walk notification list.

As I prepare for this exciting event, you can follow my progress on either site.  While you're at the “Avon walk” site, you can find out about why this event is so important, as well as the organizations and people that benefited from the money raised. Last year, Avon representatives handed out large checks ($250K-500K) to Los Angeles and Long Beach area organizations supporting breast cancer research, and early diagnosis programs and treatment, especially for women and men without insurance. The Avon Foundation also awards many grants to fulfill these areas of need. I am convinced that each year brings us closer to new cures and better diagnosis and treatment options.  Won’t you join me again?
 
Thanks again for your continued generous support and encouragement!

Val