San Francisco Chronicle - Saturday, June 28, 2003
Ulysses Torassa, Chronicle Health Writer

It remains to be seen whether the two fund-raising events will generate more money overall for the breast cancer cause, or spread the available donations more thinly. But whatever the outcome, the prospect of having two major fund-raisers organized by national groups has angered some local activists.

"Every organization that's doing community-based work is being challenged by the economy, and to have the two of them come into the Bay Area and take funds away is outrageous," said Barbara Brenner, executive director of Breast Cancer Action, a San Francisco-based group.

Keenly aware of the huge amounts raised by the events, the Susan G. Komen Foundation has joined forces with another nonprofit to put on its own series of three-day walks in various cities, the first to be held from San Jose to San Francisco in November. They will be similar to the annual walks that Avon has held in recent years.

Avon canceled last year's event following criticism that Pallotta Teamworks, the for-profit company operating the walk, was charging too much to stage the event and that they were doing too much self-promotion. Avon has since taken over the management and shortened the event to two days.

The competing events are reminiscent of a schism that occurred over another Pallotta Teamworks-run fund-raiser, the California AIDS Ride, a bicycle trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center, two of the major beneficiaries of the ride, pulled out last year following criticism of the company's management. They then formed their own competing event, AIDS Lifecycle, causing confusion and some hard feelings on both sides. Pallotta Teamworks has since folded, leaving AIDS Lifecycle without competition.

The Komen Foundation, which already sponsors popular "Race for the Cure" 5K walk/runs in many cities to raise money for breast cancer research, hopes to raise as much as $50 million by the end of next year through their three-day walking events, which are planned for 11 cities.

"I know that over the years the series has brought in close to $200 million, so the history is very strong," Patrice Tosi, chief operating officer of the Komen Foundation, said of the Avon events, which began in 1998. She said they've already gotten 31,000 inquiries about participation in their walks since they were announced last month.

Tosi said attempts were made to contact Avon officials about possibly teaming up on the events, but they did not receive a response. Susan Arnot Heaney, director of Avon's Breast Cancer Crusade, said she knew nothing of the overture and did not want to comment on how the Komen walks might affect them.

"We're just moving forward with our events," Heaney said.

Komen instead teamed up with the National Philanthropic Trust, a nonprofit that oversees charitable donations for individuals and some foundations.

Andrew Hastings, vice president of the National Philanthropic Trust, said there is plenty of room for both events. "Philanthropy is not a zero sum game, " he said.

But it appears that at least the Avon walk is already drawing much smaller crowds, with an estimated 1,600 people taking part this year, versus 4,500 who walked last year when it was spread over three days.

The walks are a social, emotional and physical experience for the mostly female participants. Many are attracted to physical challenge, as well as to the chance to support a cause dear to the hearts of many women. The logistics are complex and costly because organizers must create small temporary cities along the way to house and feed the walkers.

Walkers must raise at least $1,750 to participate in the Avon event, which involves walking either 26 or 39 miles over two days, starting and ending in Golden Gate Park. The Komen walk between San Francisco and San Jose will cover 60 miles over three days and requires $2,000 in donations.

E-mail Ulysses Torassa at utorassa@sfchronicle.com.

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