South Carolina Firefighter to Wear Full Gear in Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

Old Fort Fire Department Engineer John Johnston of Summerville (SC) will join thousands of women and men in the upcoming Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Washington, D.C . raising funds and awareness that will help defeat breast cancer and support those facing the disease.  John will participate in the non-competitive event, which offers the option of walking a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) over the weekend of May 4-5, this is his first time participating in the Avon Walk, and he is training hard and raising funds in preparation for the event.

John Johnston was inspired to take part in the Avon Walk Washington, D.C. because of his close friend that passed away on 10/24/2011 the day before his birthday. She was only 31 years old. She was a wife and a mother of three great children.

“Thanks to thousands of people like John Johnston, 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 for Women, the public charity that produces the events.  “The Avon Foundation for Women is ‘in it to end it’ for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer’s 2013 season. For the past decade, tens of thousands of dedicated women and men took personal action to help others through the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. We are truly inspired by our participants’ passion and enthusiasm.”

The Avon Walk Washington, D.C. is one of eight weekend walks taking place in 2013.  The complete 2013 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer schedule includes: Houston (April 20-21), Washington, DC (May 4-5), Boston (May 18-19), Chicago (June 1-2),  Santa Barbara (September 7-8), San Francisco (September 28-29), New York City,  (October 20-21), and Charlotte, NC (October 27-28).

John Johnston has set a fundraising goal of $2000.  To support Johnston fundraising campaign, donations can be sent to Avonwalk.com and look for walker John Johnston. Funds raised by John Johnston and the thousands of other Avon Walk participants are awarded by the Avon Foundation for Women, a 501(c)(3) public charity, to help ensure anyone facing a breast cancer diagnosis gets the care they need regardless of their ability to pay, and to help fund breast cancer research.  For a complete list of Avon Foundation for Women funding, visit www.avonfoundation.org.

The Avon Walk series, the Avon Foundation’s largest fund-raising event, comprises eight non-competitive weekend fund-raising 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 to prepare physically for the event, which offers the option of walking a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles) over a weekend. Among the walkers’ ranks in 2012 were men and women of all ages, from nearly every state and several countries, including more than 1,600 breast cancer survivors.  This large, diverse group was united by their shared desire to eradicate breast cancer and help those touched by the disease.

John will start his Walk weekend with an opening ceremony early Saturday morning, and then spend most of the day walking. 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 set out on the route again, with their final miles culminating in an impactful closing ceremony, including the presentation of local grants so funds immediately benefit deserving medical centers and breast cancer organizations in the community.

For more information or to register for an Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 888-541-WALK.