Charlotte — April 17, 2005 — The Carolinas are about to see an increase in health care and other services for people who may face breast cancer. Today at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Closing Ceremony at Memorial Stadium, Avon Foundation Executive Director Carol Kurzig announced gifts totaling $532,000 to North and South Carolina organizations that provide breast care for medically underserved individuals.

The gifts will be given to three medical centers: the Carolina’s Healthcare System in Charlotte, the Presbyterian Cancer Center in Charlotte and the Medical University of Charleston (South Carolina). Each of these institutions share the Avon Foundation’s goal of providing access to care for all.

“These institutions share our mission to provide access to care and help find an end to breast cancer,” Kurzig said, “We are grateful for everything they do and are proud to provide funding to help support their great work in the community.”

The funds distributed at today’s ceremony were from the $1,000,000 raised by the approximately 500 dedicated women and men from throughout the state and nation who participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Charlotte. These individuals walked up to a marathon and a half throughout the Charlotte area this weekend, covering up to 26.2 miles Saturday and camping out overnight before continuing another 13.1 miles on Sunday. Walkers were supported by an all-volunteer crew throughout their journey, as well as cheering stations manned by family and friends. All monies raised at Avon Walks are awarded by the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, for access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer.

This was the first year the Avon Walk had come to Charlotte., “This weekend, we walked in Charlotte for every mother, every sister, every daughter and son here and throughout the country who is touched by breast cancer,” Kurzig said, “The spirit was unforgettable and the impact undeniable”

About the Gifts and Beneficiaries
The new funding gifts announced at the closing ceremony are as follows:

• Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC -- $100,000 to support a Program/Nurse Coordinator, Peer Advocate/Patient Educator and Epidemiologist to ensure a continuum of breast health care and engage new patients among the medically underserved, including the 25% of the patient base without health insurance.
• Presbyterian Cancer Center, Charlotte, NC -- $100,000 to support a Program Community Nurse Educator and create a central database management program in the Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic, which delivers care to the medically underserved population regardless of insurance status.
• Medical University of South Carolina/Hollings Cancer Center, Charleston, SC -- $166,000 per year for 2 years for a Nurse Practitioner/Patient Navigator, an African American and Hispanic Patient Navigator, and a Patient Coordinator to support both the breast center and mobile health unit, with the goal to ensure quality care for medically underserved women as well as to increase enrollment in clinical trials.

Several organizations in the Carolinas are already beneficiaries of the Avon Foundation, including the Rural Health Group of Roanoke Rapids, NC; the Women’s Health Matters of Hilton Head, SC; and the YWCA of the Greater Triangle in Raleigh, NC. In addition, the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Triangle Park, NC has received Avon Foundation funding for research on environmental issues and breast cancer.

About the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series is a project of the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Foundation manages and disburses the net proceeds from the Avon Walks to support access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer nationwide, with funds awarded for awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research. Beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based non-profit breast health programs, with a focus on reaching the medically underserved. From1992 through 2004, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has raised and awarded more than $350,000,000 in 50 countries worldwide to breast cancer research and care organizations. Funds are raised through a wide variety of special events, product sales, walks, runs, concerts and other initiatives in addition to the Avon Walks.

The complete 2005 Avon Walk series includes: Charlotte, NC (April 16-17); Washington, DC (April 30-May 1); Boston, MA (May 14-15); Chicago, IL (June 4-5); Denver, CO (June 25-26); San Francisco, CA (July 9-10); Los Angeles, CA (September 17-18); New York, NY (October 1-2).

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is generously supported by National Sponsors Novartis Oncology and RYKÄ, Official Sponsors Airplus for Her and Crystal Light, and Official Water FIJI,

For more information about the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 877-WALK-AVON.

###