MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

Contacts:

Avon Breast Cancer Crusade National Trust for Historic Preservation
Liana Rosabal, (212) 282-5674 Katie Callahan, (202) 588-6218

Downtown Frederick Partnership
Kara Norman, (301) 698-8118

Avon Breast Cancer Crusade and The National Trust
for Historic Preservation Partner to “Paint Downtown Frederick Pink”

Downtown Frederick Joins Cities Nationwide in the Pink Line Project: Saving Lives, Saving Communities to Celebrate Commitment to the Fight Against Breast Cancer

Downtown Frederick Partnership, the local Main Street organization, will join leaders in small towns and big cities across the nation on Saturday, October 18, 2003 to “paint the town pink,” as the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade and The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Center host the second annual Pink Line Project: Saving Lives, Saving Communities, a nationwide grassroots initiative to help raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer and highlight the value of saving communities through historic preservation.

On this day, breast cancer survivors, Avon representatives, Main Street volunteers, public officials, community health organizations, local merchants and citizens will join together in downtown “main streets” to celebrate victories against breast cancer, remember lives lost, and recognize the spirit of Main Street communities as they join in this important battle.

Together, these communities will “create a pink line across America” to help in the fight against breast cancer and help generate support for local preservation efforts. In Downtown Frederick, a “pink line” of people will be created along Market Street beginning at Carroll Creek. Mayor Dougherty will read a proclamation about the Pink Line Project at 10 a.m., after which the pink line will be created down Market Street to draw attention to the breast cancer cause.

Since last year’s pilot program in 19 communities, the initiative, which centers on creating a “pink line” down the middle of Main Streets across the nation, has expanded to more than 35 communities, intending to bring together thousands more citizens nationwide in support of the breast cancer cause.

To launch this year’s Pink Line Project, an official “Pink Line Committee” has been created to further underscore the importance of ongoing efforts needed to eradicate the disease. The Avon Crusade and the National Trust have enlisted a prestigious committee of Congressional leaders who have demonstrated their support for the breast cancer and historic preservations causes to lend their names to the first “Pink Line Committee” in support of this important initiative: Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senator John Breaux (D-LA), Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX), Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (D-OR), Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Congresswoman Sue Myrick (R-NC) and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

“The Pink Line Project is a very visible way of reminding us that breast cancer touches every community - large and small - while also highlighting the significant contributions that are being made at the most basic, grassroots level in our continuous fight against this devastating disease,” said Kathleen Walas, president, Avon Foundation. “For more than a decade Avon has been committed to the breast cancer cause, and we welcome the support of communities and citizens across the country.”

Avon is partnering with the National Trust for Historic Preservation as part of their shared commitment to save lives and save communities.

“For more than 50 years the National Trust has been working to help communities save America’s historic and cultural resources,” said Richard Moe, president, National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Nothing is more precious to the character and strength of our communities than our grandmothers, mothers, husbands, uncles and sisters. That’s why the National Trust is delighted to again join with the Avon Crusade to host the Pink Line Project in recognition of the efforts of those fighting breast cancer and to underscore the need to continue that fight.”

The Pink Line Project

The cornerstone of the Pink Line Project community events will be a ceremony in Downtown Frederick, similar to ceremonies taking place simultaneously on this one day in the more than 35 participating cities across the U.S., led by local Avon Representatives, Downtown Frederick Partnership Main Street volunteers and public officials. A proclamation will be read at 10 a.m. declaring October 18, 2003 as Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Day in Frederick, after which a pink line of people will be created down Market Street beginning at Carroll Creek.

Downtown Frederick will host other unique interactive, educational and health-related public activities around the ceremonial proceedings to showcase the downtown community’s involvement in the nationwide day of commitment to saving lives and saving communities. Downtown Frederick will be transformed with pink balloons and pink ribbons, the universal symbol of the breast cancer cause. Frederick Memorial Hospital Wellness Center will be hosting an informational booth to provide educational information on breast cancer. Local Garden Clubs will have pink flower arrangements on display in the Market Street windows of the Cultural Arts Center. Downtown retailers will be handing out pink ribbons while supplies last. Downtown restaurants and delis will feature pink drinks and desserts. Everyone is encouraged to wear pink on Saturday, October 18.

Avon Sales Representatives also will have the opportunity to distribute breast cancer information and sell Avon Breast Cancer Crusade fundraising products, including an umbrella, cosmetics case which comes with a free lipstick and a rose-scented candle. All 100% of the net proceeds of these products help fund five areas of the breast cancer cause, including awareness; screening and diagnosis; treatment; support services; and scientific research. Funds raised are managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation, an accredited 501(c)(3) public charity.

Avon Breast Cancer Crusade

The mission of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade is to fund access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on reaching medically underserved women, including minorities, the poor, elderly, under- and uninsured women. The first Avon breast cancer program began in the U.K. in 1992, and has expanded to 50 countries. Funds are raised through a wide variety of special events, product sales, walks, runs, concerts and other cause-marketing initiatives worldwide.

For more than a decade, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has been raising significant funds and awareness for the breast cancer cause. Through 2002, the Avon Crusade has returned an unprecedented $250,000,000 to breast cancer research and care organizations worldwide. Beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based non-profit breast health programs. For more information, visit www.avonfoundation.org .

The National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable. Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the Trust provides leadership, education and advocacy to save America’s diverse historic places and revitalize communities. Its Washington, DC headquarters staff, six regional offices and 21 historic sites work with the Trust’s quarter-million members and thousands of local community groups in all 50 states. For more information, visit the National Trust’s web site at www.nationaltrust.org.