CELEBS AND AMBASSADORS GET BEHIND THE CRUSADE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Johannesburg, South Africa – Avon has extended the deadline for entries for the second virtual iThemba Walkathon taking place on Sunday, 3rd October 2021 countrywide. Aspiring participants now have until Friday, 1st of October 2021 to register a spot for Avon’s flagship breast cancer awareness social event.
The iThemba Walk will this year host four regional mini-events in Johannesburg, Durban, Phalaborwa and Cape Town respectively where brand NGO partners, media and ambassadors will join forces to continue the crusade.
Brand ambassadors who have been part of the crusade this year include:
- iThemba Walkathon advocate Lilian Dube
- Kay Sibiya and Judie Kama
- Semone Skosan
- Bujy Bikwa
- Abigail Visagie
- Nina Hastie
- Putco Mafani
- Nicole Bessick
- Thandy Matlaila
- Cedric Fourie
- Lebo Motsoeli
- Simphiwe Dludlu
- Mbali Ndlela
- Boitumelo Rametsi
- Clarrisa M
- Candy Tsa Mandebele Mokwena
- Mbali Maphumulo
- Lady X
Entertainers at the regional events include:
Cape Town
GOODHOPE POWERTEAM
Ithemba Walk ambassador Carissa Cupido
DJ Jules
TwinzSpin DJ’s
Durban
DJ Happygal
Nontu R
Lotus FM’s Shaastra Nagesar
Phalaborwa
Capricorn FM’s Hlekani Shikwambana
DJ HTee
Johannesburg
KAYA POWERTEAM
Unathi Nkayi
MaBlerh
Ed Soul
T Bose
iThemba Walkathon, held virtually for the second year in a row in compliance with COVID-19 regulations, supports efforts to raise awareness about breast cancer and to amplify the importance of early detection through regular self-examination and yearly mammograms to increase early detection and survival rate.
As part of Avon’s continued efforts to fight against breast cancer, a silent pandemic that infects 1 in 25 women in South Africa during their lifetime according to the National Cancer Registry, the company has in 2021, already pledged R800 000 to support the work of non-governmental organisations namely the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), Journeysys, Wings of Hope and Look Good Feel Better proportionate to their requirements.
These funds have been generated from the iThemba Walkathon ticket sales and paraphernalia, which includes iThemba pin, iThemba bandana, iThemba visor and iThemba body lotion.
Avon customers can help to raise more funds to support the breast cancer awareness campaign by buying any of the iThemba Walkathon products, namely the 750ml Avon care body lotion for R99, iThemba visor for R99, iThemba bandana for R89 or the breast cancer pin for R95.
“As devastating as the outbreak of COVID-19 has been, it has not meant the end of breast cancer. On the contrary, the pandemic has exerted tremendous pressure on our health facilities which has compelled them to defer critical treatment to breast cancer patients. This is more of a reason that we need to step up the fight against this silent pandemic and provide much-needed support to organisations that provide support to breast cancer survivors. As a company for women, this donation is a reaffirmation of our continued support for causes that are close to women’s hearts and our crusade to champion the fight against breast cancer,” says Mafahle Mareletse, Managing Director of Avon Justine Turkey, Middle East & Africa.
Look Good Feel Better has already received part of this grant in the form of Avon Justine products. The NGO provides tailored support to cancer survivors to help them to manage the appearance-related side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, thereby helping to restore their appearance and self-image using some of these Avon Justine products.
Look Good…Feel Better Yvette Powell, National Programme Manager, further adds “it is because of the continued generosity and support from Avon/Justine that we can continue to bring HOPE to those fighting this dreadful disease. Avon/Justine demonstrates commitment to the wellbeing and upliftment of women going through cancer treatment. Together we cannot determine the outcome but we can affect the journey.”
Participants to the 2021 iThemba Walkathon can get more information on this event and also register on https://my.avon.co.za/ithemba-walkathon.
Registration is R100 for children and R180 for adults. Entrants are in for much more than a fun walk but also endless entertainment while creating awareness for breast cancer.
Avon has been pioneering the crusade against breast cancer since 1992 and to date has raised over R24 million for breast cancer education and awareness.
