via condenastinteractive.co.uk

As Avon’s first-ever Global Ambassador, Reese Witherspoon has served as an honorary chairman of the Avon foundation since August 1, 2007. Some initiatives that the Legally Blonde star has participated in include the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and the Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow. She also recently came back from a week-long stay in Japan where she met with female breast cancer survivors and introduced Avon’s first global fundraising project, the Women’s Empowerment Bracelet. The Empowerment Bracelet, presented by United Nations Development Fund for Women and Avon, is meant to celebrate Women’s Independence Day with proceeds going to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.

While in Japan, Witherspoon was the guest of honor in a Japanese Tea Ceremony where she spoke about breast cancer awareness and wore a traditional Japanese kimono. After meeting survivors, Reese noted that, “While their courage is inspiring, I was saddened to hear that only about 12% of women in Japan receive regular breast cancer screening. The lack of testing equipment and breast cancer experts in Japan means that many women here do not have access to the medical technology and care that is critical to diagnose and fight this deadly disease.” Avon’s global platform has raised over $525 million dollars for breast cancer research.

Contributed by CGG Youth Reporter Christine Lenzo