PRESS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contacts:        Vicky Cooke                                                    Tracey Warshaw

                        Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Inc.             Avon Breast Cancer Crusade

                        (302) 778-1102                                               (212) 282-5664

 

 

                                                               

AVON AWARDS GRANT FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS PROGRAM TO

THE DELAWARE BREAST CANCER COALITION, INC.

 

Local Organization Recognized with Support from National Program

 

Wilmington, DE/January 15, 2002 -- The Avon Breast Care Fund has awarded a $45,000 grant to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Inc. (DBCC) to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast cancer.

 

The FAME (Female Advocates for Mammography and Education) breast health program at DBCC will educate women throughout Delaware and refer them to low-cost or free mammograms and clinical breast exams in their own communities. Through partnerships with faith-based and community-based organizations, DBCC will insure that women receive breast health information and screenings. Advocates in the organizations will identify, educate, and mentor women in need of breast health screenings. Women identified for screenings will receive incentives for screenings, such as “Manicure for a Mammogram” or tickets to an organization lunch or dinner featuring a breast health program. Outstanding agency advocates will receive donated gifts and organizations with the most participants will receive cash awards. DBCC will also expand the MAAM (Mature African Americans for Mammography) Coalition into Kent and Sussex Counties.

 

Every woman is at risk for breast cancer.  It is the most common form of cancer in women in the U.S., and the leading single cause of death overall in women between the ages of 40 and 55.  Thirty to 40 percent of breast cancer deaths could be prevented if all women practiced the three early detection steps: the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends annual mammograms beginning at age 40; annual clinical breast exams beginning at age 20; and monthly breast self-examinations beginning at age 20.  According to the ACS, the majority of women who don’t comply with these guidelines are poor and underserved women.

 

"Many factors, ranging from fear to lack of a doctor's recommendation, keep women from practicing good breast health," says Vicky Cooke, Executive Director, DBCC. "There is a tremendous need to reach women with information and resources," adds Cooke. "We are grateful that Avon shares this mission, and has chosen to support our program."

 

Avon has funded more than 600 community-based programs across the United States during the last seven years, including the FAME program at DBCC. These programs are dedicated to educating underserved women about breast cancer and linking them with early detection screening services.

The Avon Breast Care Fund is made possible with funds raised by the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, a national women’s health initiative launched in October of 1993 by Avon Products, Inc. The Avon Crusade raises funds through a variety of programs, including the sale of special pink ribbon products, by some 550,000 Avon independent Sales Representatives and through the series of unique events called the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Days. In 2002, the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Days will take place in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Denver, Seattle, San Diego, Dallas, Michigan and Florida.  Some $150 million has been raised in the United States to support the Avon Crusade mission to fund access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. Avon Sales Representatives have distributed more than 150 million educational brochures in a woman-to-woman outreach effort, and many are serving as volunteers for programs funded by the Crusade.

 

The Avon Breast Care Fund is administered by Cicatelli Associates Inc. One-year grants are awarded to programs that support community-based, non-profit programs across the country. The Fund's National Advisory Board selected the FAME program at DBCC as one of 35 grant recipients nationwide in the 2002 cycle of Avon grants. These organizations were chosen based on their ability to reach women effectively, particularly minority, low-income, and older women, who are often medically underserved.

 

For more information on the FAME program, or for more information about DBCC, please call Vicky Cooke or Sandy Hoy at (302) 778-1102, or visit our website at www.debreastcancer.org.  For more information about breast cancer, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit them at www.cancer.org.  For the name of the nearest Avon Representative, or to learn more about Avon products and programs, please call 1-800-FOR-AVON, or for the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Days you may call directly at 1-888-825-1000.  For online information on the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day, visit www.avoncrusade.com.

 

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