Feb 1 – Charleston, South Carolina – Today the Avon Foundation presented an award of more than $332,000 over two years, recognizing the leading work of the Hollings Cancer Center in bringing quality breast health care to all women in the area and recognizing their efforts in breast cancer research.

According to Carol Kurzig, Executive Director, Avon Foundation, “MUSC Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) was selected in a competitive process and is now one of 38 Safety Net institutions the Avon Foundation support around the country to provide access to care for uninsured, low income and minority women fighting breast cancer. This program is an exciting addition to the comprehensive breast cancer program already providing care for breast cancer patients in the Low Country. “We are very fortunate to be able to provide this additional dimension to our breast cancer program” states Dr. David Cole, Head of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery at MUSC. “In addition to now having a state of the art breast imaging facility and an innovative high risk breast screening program, the Avon grant allows us to reach into the communities that need us the most to help provide access to our comprehensive breast cancer care team at HCC.”

“Funds for this grant were raised by the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Charlotte and the sale of fundraising pink ribbon products by Avon Sales Representatives, including those with us today,” commented Rick Nichols, Division Sales Manager of Avon Products, Inc, who was representing the Avon Foundation at the announcement. He added, “It is through the dedication of Avon Sales Representatives, including 9,000 in South Carolina, and thousands of women and men of the Avon Walk that we are able to present this grant today.”

Dr. Andrew Kraft, Director of Hollings Cancer Center commented, “We are pleased to have been given this funding as it helps to support our program of comprehensive breast care for all women and strengthens our ongoing outreach to the underserved community. This grant could not be given to a better area as we are located in a state with a large population of rural, underserved, low income and African American women who face many barriers to early diagnosis and treatment.

“This program will further enhance our outreach to African American women who die disproportionately to their numbers.” Dr. Kraft continued. “We all know that early detection and continuation of treatment leads to the best outcome.”

According to Debbie Bryant, RN, MSN , newly hired Manager for the Breast Health Patient Navigation Program “This grant will ensure that underserved women receive timely, complete and high quality care. According to Ms. Bryant, patients will be navigated through the complex health care system by staff who are culturally representative of the patients they serve. The program includes assistance for underserved women in securing financial and other resources for diagnosis and treatment

In closing Dr. Kraft commented “We are pleased to have received this generous grant from Avon Foundation and look forward to working with them to save lives in the years to come.”

About the Avon Foundation
The Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women and their families, and now brings this mission to life through two key areas: breast cancer and domestic violence. The Speak Out Against Domestic Violence initiative was launched in 2004, focused on awareness, education, community outreach, direct service programs and prevention. The Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992 and supports access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer fundraising event returns to Charlotte, NC on October 21-22, 2006. Avon philanthropic programs in some 50 countries worldwide have raised and awarded more than $450,000,000. For more information on the Avon Foundation visit www.avonfoundation.org.