Avon global ambassador Reese Witherspoon visits Japan
12 Jun '08
4 min read
"Ms. Witherspoon has an incredible track record of giving back in both big and small ways and we are thrilled that she is in Japan lending her support to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer and domestic violence in her role as the company's first global ambassador."
Avon's global philanthropy has raised and awarded more that $525 million for breast cancer research and to ensure the best care and treatment for all breast cancer patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Avon is the largest corporate supporter of the fight against breast cancer in the world.
Avon Japan is committed to changing these statistics and creating greater awareness with an emphasis on the importance of early detection.
Since the beginning of their breast cancer campaign in 2002, Avon has held some of the largest breast cancer awareness events in Japan as well as donated nearly $2 million for mammography screenings, equipment donation, research and care for survivors and their families.
While in Japan, Ms. Witherspoon also introduced Avon's first-ever global fundraising product, the Women's Empowerment Bracelet, designed to save and improve women's lives worldwide.
The bracelet was first unveiled in the U.S. in March of this year at the second annual Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow, presented by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) in partnership with Avon, at the United Nations in celebration of International Women's Day. Over half a million units of the Women's Empowerment Bracelet have already sold in the U.S.
The bracelet, which features a clasp in the shape of the infinity symbol to carry the message of the limitless possibilities for women, will now be sold by Avon Sales Representatives in Japan and will be also available in Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and India and sold in the more than 100 countries globally in which Avon operates.
In support of this mission, proceeds from the Women's Empowerment Bracelet will go to a new endowment, the Avon Empowerment Fund, which will contribute to the UNIFEM-managed UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.
The first $500,000 from bracelet sales will be matched in 2008 by the Avon Foundation for a total donation of $1 million for new grants by the UN Trust Fund, representing the single-largest one-year corporate contribution to-date.