AVON FOUNDATION BREAST CARE FUND AWARDS GRANT FOR BREAST CANCER PROGRAM TO SOUTHEAST REGIONAL HEALTH SCREENING PROGRAM AT SOUTHEAST ALABAMA MEDICAL CENTER

The Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund has awarded a $35,000 one-year grant to The Southeast Regional Health Screening Program to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast cancer It is the fourth year that the program has received funding from the Avon Foundation for Women to support its work on this important health issue, and in recognition of the excellence of the program. 

The Southeast Regional Health Screening Program at Southeast Alabama Medical Center will educate Wiregrass area women and refer them to low-cost or free mammograms and clinical breast exams in their own communities.  The vital program will also provide nurse navigation service to women diagnosed with breast cancer through that program.  Since September, 2007 the Southeast Regional Health Screening Program at Southeast Alabama Medical Center has reached thousands of women with information about the importance of early detection of breast cancer and has provided over 4,500 women with mammograms and clinical breast exams.

Breast cancer 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.  Nationwide, there is a new diagnosis every three minutes and a death from breast cancer every fourteen minutes. While advances have been made in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure, early detection still affords the best opportunity for successful treatment.  Programs such as The Southeast Regional Health Screening Program help ensure that all women have access to early detection information and options, even poor and medically underserved women.

“We are proud that the Avon Foundation for Women shares our mission and has chosen to support our program.  With these funds we will be able continue to provide the highest quality of breast health education and screening throughout the Wiregrass area, “stated Dr. Steven H. Stokes, Medical Director for the Southeast Regional Health Screening Program.

Since 1993, the Avon Foundation has awarded more than 1,300 grants to community-based breast health programs across the United States, including The Southeast Regional Health Screening Program at Southeast Alabama Medical Center.  These programs are dedicated to educating underserved women about breast cancer and linking them to early detection screening services.

 

 

The Avon Foundation for Women and Breast Cancer Crusade

The Avon Foundation for Women, an accredited 501(c)(3) public charity, was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women and their families. Now past the half century milestone, the Foundation brings this mission to life through the Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program and the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, which raises funds and awareness to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. Since 1992 the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has raised and awarded more than $640 million worldwide for medical research; access to care; support services; screening and diagnostics; and education and awareness. The largest fundraising program in the U.S. is the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series.

 

 

The Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund

The Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund is administered by Cicatelli Associates Inc. to support community-based, non-profit breast health programs across the country.  The Fund's National Advisory Board selected The Southeast Regional Health Screening Program  at Southeast Alabama Medical Center as one of 125 new grant recipients nationwide in the 2010 cycle of Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund grants.  These organizations were chosen based on their ability to effectively reach women, particularly minority, low-income, and older women, who are often medically underserved.

 

For more Information

For more information on The Southeast Regional Health Screening Program at Southeast Alabama Medical Center, please call Cindy Tanton, R.N., BS, OCN, Nurse Manager  at 334-793-8080.  For more information about breast cancer, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org, or the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4-CANCER or www.cancer.gov.

To learn more about the Avon Foundation for Women, call 1-866-505-AVON or visit www.avonfoundation.org, where you can also access the free printable Breast Health Resource Guide in English and Spanish.  For information or to register or support the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer events, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 1-888-540-WALK.