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Avon, a company as well known for their philanthropic efforts as they are for their makeup, has added brand new products tot heir pink line of goodies to raise money to fund breast cancer research.

Among the new items in the Breast Cancer Crusade collection are Pink Ribbon Bubble Bath, a sparkling pink tennis bracelet, a pink water bottle, and pink fleece-lined clogs. The new items join an already extensive collection of accessories and cosmetics.

The donations to the cause vary depending on the item purchase, but go as high as 80% percent of the purchase price. To date, Avon’s philanthropic efforts have raised over $600 million dollars through programs in over 50 countries around the world.

Avon also raises money to fight domestic violence by selling key chains and their Women’s Empowerment Bracelet which was launched last year by Avon Foundation Honorary Chairwoman Reese Witherspoon.

The new pink items are available now on the website and through your local Avon representative.

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Avon spokeswoman, Reese Witherspoon, was on hand at a press conference in San Paulo, Brazil to celebrate the success of the cosmetic company’s global fundraising campaign product, the Women’s Empowerment Bracelet.

The Bracelet, which launched in March has sold over 1.5 million units to date. The bracelet fundraiser was announced just a few months ago at the second annual Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow, in conjunction with the United Nations Development Fund for Women. Proceeds from the sales of the Bracelets will go towards bettering the lives of women around the world and helping in the fight against domestic violence.

At the press conference held this week, Witherspoon was joined by Nilcea Freire, Brazils Federal Secretary for Women Policies, UNIFEM Regional Director for the Southern Cone, Ana Falu and domestic violence survivor and biochemist, Maria Da Penha Maia Fernandes, who has pioneered the fight against violence towards women in Brazil. Fernandes was instrumental in passing a law , named after her, prosecuting those who commit domestic violence acts,

“As the company for women, and on this occasion of 50 years in Brazil, Avon is keenly aware of how important it is to work to put an end to this type of violence,” says Luis Felipe Miranda, President of Avon Brazil. “We also understand how delicate the problem is, and the need to involve different sectors of society in this human rights issue which is why our public-private partnership with UNIFEM is so powerful.”

“I find it shocking that one billion women globally — that is one in every three women — are affected by violence at some point in their lives. In Latin America, between 30 and 40 percent of all women aged fifteen or older have been subjected to some form of violence, most often by a member of their own family,” said Ms. Witherspoon. “That’s a statistic we must try to change, and the Women’s Empowerment Bracelet is a great way for everyone to contribute.”

The Avon Foundation has matched the first $500,000 in sales from the bracelets and have so far donated $1 million for new grants by the UN Trust Fund. The donation represents the largest one year corporate contribution to date. Additional monies raised will go toward local domestic violence programs in countries where AVON has a presence.

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Reese Witherspoon, Avon Global Ambassador was in Japan last week to take part in a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony where she shared the message of empowerment and met with breast cancer survivors. Witherspoon also used the trip as an opportunity to meet with Avon Representatives to introduce the Women’s Empowerment bracelet, the beauty company’s first ever Global Fundraising Effort.

Dressed in traditional Japanese costume, Witherspoon was the guest of honor at the ceremony where she got a chance to meet with Dr. Matsuda, Chairman of the Japan Breast Cancer Association, and three survivors of the disease who spoke about the lack of testing facilities in the region. The Tea Ceremony also served as an open forum to discuss Breast Cancer issues in the Asian region and what can and needs to be done to help address the problem.

“As Avon’s Global Ambassador, I’m honored to have this opportunity to meet with such extraordinary women, and experience a highlight of Japanese culture” said Ms. Witherspooon.

Avon’s charitable efforts around the world have raised millions, and the 120 year old company, dedicated to woman’s issues has given more than $525 million dollars for breast cancer research. Avon is the worlds largest corporate sponsor in the global fight against breast cancer.

While in Japan, Witherspoon also introduced the Women’s Empowerment Bracelet, a global philanthropic effort created by Avon to improve the lives of women around the world. Avon, together with The United Nations Development Fund for Women unveiled the bracelet in March in the United States and so far Avon has sold over half a million of them. The bracelet, which features the infinity symbol on the clasp, will now be available across the Pan-Asian regions, in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. The bracelets are also now available in Australia and India.

The proceeds from bracelet sales go towards the Avon Empowerment Fund and go towards women’s causes around the world. In 2008, the company will match the first $500,000 dollars in sales to donate $1 million dollars towards the cause.

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Reese Witherspoon and Suze Orman will speak today at the Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow. The summit is part of a series of programs funded by Avon to raise awareness of women’s issues around the world. Reese Witherspoon signed on last year as a spokesperson for the company and is the face of this years’ Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

The Avon Summit is held in conjunction with The United Nations Development Fund for Woman (UNIFEM) in celebration of International Women’s Day. The UN will recognize this day globally on March 8th.

Along with the Global Summit, Avon announced that Launch of the Women’s Empowerment Bracelet, which can be purchased for $3.00 here. All net profits from sales of the bracelet will go to the N Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. This year, Avon will match the first $500,000 dollars in sales to donate at least $1 million towards the fund. This is Avon’s first ever global fund raising endeavor.

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