NEW YORK, Oct 22, 2011/ — Last Oct 21st in New York, Avon Foundation for Women Honorary Chairperson Reese Witherspoon recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the 2011 Global Breast Cancer Congress – where she launched a new Avon Foundation for Women-funded global breast cancer scholarship program – and at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer – where she presented more than $9.1 million in grants to New York-area breast cancer programs.

At the closing session of the 2011 Breast Cancer Global Congress, Witherspoon announced the Avon Global Breast Cancer Clinical Scholars Program, which will fund scholarships for breast cancer specialists from outside the United States to receive advanced training at leading U.S. breast cancer centers.

“Just as you are all here to gain new knowledge about improved methods to fight breast cancer around the world, the Avon Global Breast Cancer Clinical Scholars will have a once in a lifetime global opportunity to share scientific knowledge about treating breast cancer,” Witherspoon told the congressional delegates.

Following the announcement, Witherspoon walked along the Avon Walk route, ending at Pier 84 where she met with breast cancer survivors who had just completed the 39.3-mile, weekend-long fund-raising event. Then Witherspoon joined 3,500 Avon Walk participants, and thousands of their friends and families, at the event’s closing ceremony.

The Avon Walk New York raised more than $8.4 million to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, which is added to the more than $422 million raised by the Avon Walks since 2003.