Los Angeles, September 18, 2005 — Southern California is about to see an increase in health care and other services for families who may face breast cancer. Today at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Closing Ceremony at the Queen Mary Events Park in Long Beach, Avon Foundation President Kathleen Walas announced gifts totaling $1,410,000 to five breast cancer research and care organizations. These gifts are in addition to the millions of dollars previously awarded to breast care initiatives in the region by the Avon Foundation, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The funds distributed at today’s ceremony were part of the $3 million raised by the more than 1,350 dedicated women and men from throughout the state and nation who participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer LA Beaches.

Today’s gifts will be given to: the John Wayne Cancer Institute, the UCLA Foundation-Iris Cantor Breast Imaging Center, the University of California-Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and the Nevada Cancer Institute. Proceeds from the Avon Walks are awarded by the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, to organizations that support the Avon Foundation mission of access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved.

“These institutions we recognize today share our mission, and we are grateful for everything they do and are proud to provide funding to help support their great work in the community,” Walas said.

The participants in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer LA Beaches walked up to a marathon and a half throughout Southern California Beach communities 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.

This was the third year the Avon Walk has come to the SoCal area, and the Avon Foundation has already announced it will be back September 16-17, 2006.

“This weekend, we walked in Southern California for every mother, every sister, every daughter and son here and throughout the country who is touched by breast cancer,” Walas said, “The spirit was unforgettable and the impact undeniable.”

ABOUT THE GIFTS AND BENEFICIARIES
The new gifts were awarded at the closing ceremony to ensure funds immediately benefit the community. The beneficiaries are:

The John Wayne Cancer Institute (JWCI) received $500,000 to support education, awareness and access to care through the Center for Healthy Aging (CHA) and the JWCI. The funds will continue to support the sentinel node study, volunteer-driven social support study and a new early detection of breast cancer study. JWCI and CHA are also recipients of past Avon Foundation funding.

The UCLA-Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center was awarded $300,000 to coordinate access to care for underserved women by linking patients of Olive View Medical Center with confirmed diagnosis to care at Jonsson. Prior Avon Foundation funding to Olive View supports screening mammography, a mobile van, a patient database and diagnostic testing. The new funding will provide critical outreach, counseling and medical staffing as well as translation and other services to ensure patients with confirmed diagnosis can access care at Jonsson.

The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation received $300,000 to fund a pilot clinical study, “Correlation of Human Anatomy and Physiology in the Non-Lactating, Non-Cancerous Breast,” which hopes to aid in determining the etiology and causes of human breast cancer.

The Nevada Cancer Institute was awarded $250,000 to support a comprehensive navigation and outreach program for breast care at the new Nevada Cancer Institute facility, opening in October 2005. Prior Avon Foundation funds supported a patient navigator outreach worker.

The UCLA Foundation-Iris Cantor Breast Imaging Center received $60,000 to support one radiology fellow to complete a one-year specialty fellowship in breast imaging. The Avon Foundation has supported eight prior fellowships from 2001-2004.

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. From 1992 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.

Registration is open for the complete 2006 Avon Walk series, which includes: Washington, DC (April 29-30); Boston, MA (May 20-21); Chicago, IL (June 3-4); Denver, CO (June 24-25); San Francisco, CA (July 8-9); Los Angeles, CA (September 16-17); New York, NY (October 7-8); Charlotte, NC (October 21-22).

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.