Breast-cancer walks to go on despite woes of LA-based organizer

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - The Avon Foundation said Monday it will press ahead with three breast cancer charity walks this October, despite the financial troubles of the for-profit company organizing the events. <br> <br> The New York-based foundation said it expects Pallotta TeamWorks will help it ensure the Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles walks go on as planned. <br> <br> Pallotta laid off its more than 250 employees on Friday. Company founder Dan Pallotta told employees the move was intended to save money and ensure the events it both creates and produces could go on as planned, a spokeswoman previously said. <br> <br> Pallotta officials did not return phone messages left at their Los Angeles offices seeking comment on Monday. A company lawyer said she was unaware the layoffs had taken place. <br> <br> ``I was in touch with them as recently as a week ago, so this is not something I was consulted on,&#39;&#39; said Costa Mesa attorney Jayne Kacer. ``I can&#39;t shed any insight.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The company has been blasted by critics who allege it has overspent on marketing, administration and logistics, cutting into what it contributes to charity. <br> <br> Pallotta TeamWorks&#39;s main two charity events are its AIDSRidesUSA, now discontinued, and the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day walks. <br> <br> The company has held 10 other such walks so far this year, netting $43 million. More than 10,000 people have registered to take part in the three remaining walks. <br> <br> ``There is no question that we are committed to the participants and the beneficiaries, and to the responsible management of the funds raised,&#39;&#39; said Kathleen Walas, president of the Avon Foundation, in a statement. <br> <br> Critics have been especially critical of Pallotta&#39;s AIDS rides. In past bicycle events, Pallotta has returned on average 57 percent, but as little as 21 percent, of donor contributions to charity. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s just a very expensive way to raise money. In my view, it&#39;s been draining money from the community,&#39;&#39; said Wayne Turner, a spokesman for the Washington, D.C., office of AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power, or ACT UP. <br> <br> The company has defended the falloff in donations, saying some events drew a smaller number of participants. The events cost the same to produce regardless of how many people took part, the company has said. <br> <br> Since 1994, Pallotta TeamWorks events benefiting AIDS- and breast cancer-related causes have netted $222 million. <br> <br> Avon Products announced this spring it would drop its support of the three-day breast-cancer walks organized by Pallotta. And at least three beneficiaries of Pallotta-produced charity events have ended their relationships with the beleaguered company.