In the ten years since the inception of the Entertainment Industry Foundation Revlon Run/Walk For Women in New York, cancer research, treatment and prevention has -- like the hundreds of thousands Run/Walk participants -- come a long way.


The 2007 cancer statistics reported by the American Cancer Society provides some hopeful news for women. The incidence rates (the rate at which new cancers are diagnosed) have decreased for ovarian, uterine and cervical cancers and have stabilized for breast cancer. Even more promising, death rates for cervical and breast cancer -- the most frequently diagnosed cancers for women -- have been steadily declining since 1990. As ACS reports, "These decreases are due to a combination of early detection and improved treatment."


Thanks to the unwavering support of some 90,000 men, women and children who participate in these New York and Los Angeles annual events, EIF's Revlon Run/Walk for Women grants have helped fund cutting-edge research -- research that contributed to the development of the breakthrough gene treatment Herceptin(R), as well as other targeted therapies, bringing new and innovative treatment approaches to women's cancers worldwide. To date, nearly $45 million has been distributed, in addition to funding life-saving research, grants made also support a number of caring organizations that provide education, advocacy and outreach services to those affected by women's cancers.


Celebrating ten years in New York City, this year's Run/Walk, presented by the Entertainment Industry Foundation, will take place on Saturday, May 5 (the following Saturday, May 12 in L.A.), beginning in Times Square and ending in Central Park's East Meadow, where a health expo will be conducted near the finish line. With participation expected from more than 40,000 people, the 2007 Run/Walk in New York will be hosted by Revlon spokesperson Halle Berry, along with special guests Mandy Moore and Meredith Vieira.


The Entertainment Industry Foundation Revlon Run/Walk For Women was created through the combined efforts of Lilly Tartikoff, Ronald O. Perelman and EIF. They have grown each year to rank among the largest 5K events in the U.S. (the L.A. event is now the biggest fundraiser of its kind for women's cancers in the nation).


"During its ten years in New York, the Run/Walk has seen millions of dollars it's raised put to good use. We're proud of facilitating a decade of progress in cancer research and outreach, and look forward to making even greater strides over the next decade," stated Ronald O. Perelman, chairman of Revlon, Inc., co-founder of the Run/Walk and co-founder of the Revlon/UCLA Women's Cancer Research Program.


"Every year we see an outpouring of support from our community, support that has made a huge difference in the fight against women's cancers. My heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone who has joined us in the past and to those who will cross the finish line with us this year," says Lilly Tartikoff, co-founder of the Revlon Run/Walk For Women and co-founder of the Revlon/UCLA Women's Cancer Research Program.


"We applaud the entertainment community, all of the employees working at the studios, networks, guilds, union, agencies and other entertainment services, for playing such a lead role in the continued success of the Run/Walk, and we are truly overwhelmed by the tremendous support of the hundreds of thousands of people who take part in this empowering event," stated Lisa Paulsen, CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation and co- founder of the event.


2007 beneficiaries of the New York Run/Walk include: The Actors' Fund of America -- Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative; Harlem Hospital Cancer Control Center; CancerCare; Columbia University Breast Cancer Screening Partnership of NY -- Presbyterian Hospital; Gilda's Club New York City; Gouverneur Diagnostic and Treatment Center; Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening and Early Detection Program; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Montefiore-Einstein Cancer Center; Nassau University Medical Center; National Breast Cancer Coalition; National Women's Cancer Research Alliance; New York University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology; Ovarian Cancer National Alliance; The William F. Ryan Community Health Center; Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers of New York; and YWCA of Brooklyn Sister Strength Program.