July 23, 2009 – Deyang, CHINA – The China Breast Cancer Foundation today is holding the launch ceremony for the first phase of the Deyang City Breast Cancer Prevention Network. The project’s US$1 million first phase opens a new breast cancer facility at the Deyang People’s Hospital and was made possible by the Avon Foundation for Women with grantor partner Give2Asia.

The ceremony is being held from 14:00 to 17:00 in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Officials from National People’s Congress, All-China Women's Federation, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Health, Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, China Association of Social Workers, Sichuan Provincial Health Bureau, and Deyang City Government are expected to attend the ceremony and press conference.

Once completed, the City Breast Cancer Prevention Network will carry out breast cancer prevention and treatment; public surveys, research and education; and doctor training. It will be the first domestically designed cancer prevention network, and will provide diagnosis and health management for women. The network will provide scientific data for China to establish prevention strategies for breast cancer and other types of malignant tumor.

“Since 1955, the mission of the Avon Foundation for Women has been to improve the lives of women, with a special focus on the cause of breast cancer, as well as domestic violence and disaster relief,” said Carol Kurzig, President of the Avon Foundation for Women. “We are proud to help bring vital breast care services to the women in the areas affected by the earthquake, ensuring that they will have access to breast cancer care while rebuilding their lives and their communities. We extend our appreciation to the China Breast Cancer Foundation and Give2Asia in helping design the project.”

According to Chinese research statistics, 1,200 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Deyang every year, and over 400 local women die from breast cancer annually. To date, there is not a single specialized breast cancer department in over 400 medical institutes.

Deyang City was one of the areas worst hit by the May 12, 2008 Sichuan Earthquake, with over three million people affected by the disaster, and over 18,000 people killed. The Avon Foundation for Women is supporting this project as part of a larger program to help women and their families in earthquake-stricken areas.

The City Breast Cancer Prevention Network will establish and maintain breast cancer centers at Deyang People’s Hospital, Mianzhu People’s Hospital, Guanghan Central Hospital and three other hospitals in the worst hit areas. Chinese cancer experts, such as Dr. Xu Guangwei from China Breast Cancer Foundation, designed this project based on thorough research in Deyang and drew on the experience and advanced technologies in the international cancer prevention field. The total cost of this project across three phases and three years is US$5 million.

Give2Asia, the Avon Foundation for Women’s partner and grantor for the first phase of the project, currently funds over 50 projects in the earthquake-affected region for both immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts. "We are honored to partner with the Avon Foundation for Women and with the China Breast Cancer Foundation to make this good work possible,” said Michael Howe, President & CEO of Give2Asia. “We hope that together we are successful in bringing breast cancer awareness and treatment to a hitherto unserved population in China."

GE is the main technical supporter of the project. Mr. George Cao, General Manager of Great China Marketing and Enterprise Business, GE Healthcare, will speak at the ceremony on behalf of his company.

ABOUT THE AVON FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN
Since it was founded in 1955, the Avon Foundation for Women has been committed to the mission to improve the lives of women and their families. Today, the Avon Foundation is the largest corporate-affiliated foundation dedicated to women’s issues, and is focused on breast cancer, domestic violence and disaster relief. Worldwide, Avon and the Avon Foundation have raised and awarded more than US$660 million for these causes.

ABOUT GIVE2ASIA
Give2Asia, U.S.-based 501(c)(3), facilitates and encourages charitable giving for Asia by providing personalized philanthropic services to international donors. Founded in 2001, Give2Asia helps overcome the common challenges associated with overseas giving and has made possible more than US$100 million in giving since inception, including US$34 million in giving to China.