For Immediate Release
March 23, 2007                                                              

AVON FOUNDATION BREAST CARE FUND AWARDS GRANT FOR BREAST CANCER PROGRAM TO WHITMAN-WALKER CLINIC’S LESBIAN SERVICES PROGRAM

Local Organization Recognized with Support from National Program

WASHINGTON - The Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund has awarded a $40,000 one-year grant to the Lesbian Services Program of Whitman-Walker Clinic to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast cancer. It is the seventh time that the program has received Avon funding to support its work on this important health issue and in recognition of the excellence of the program. 

The Breast Health Initiative at the Lesbian Services Program of Whitman-Walker Clinic provides education about breast cancer screening to lesbians, bisexual women and transgender individuals in the Washington, D.C., area and refers them to low-cost or free mammograms and clinical breast exams in their own communities.

In 2006, the Breast Health Initiative at the Lesbian Services Program of Whitman-Walker Clinic has educated more than 1,500 women with information about the importance of early detection of breast cancer, performed more than 600 clinical breast exams and has referred nearly 400 women for mammograms.

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. According to the American Cancer Society, 590 new cases of breast cancer will be detected in the District of Columbia this year. Nationwide, there is a new diagnosis every three minutes and a death from breast cancer every 14 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 Breast Health Initiative help ensure that all women have access to early detection information and options, even poor and medically underserved women.

"Many factors, ranging from lack of meaningful health information to fear of encountering homophobic providers, prevent our constituents from engaging in breast health screening," said Annie Shaw, director of the Lesbian Services Program. "There is a tremendous need to reach women with information and resources. We are grateful that Avon shares this mission, and has chosen to support our program."

Since 1993, the Avon Foundation has awarded more than 1,000 grants to community-based breast health programs across the United States, including the Breast Health Initiative at Whitman-Walker Clinic. These programs are dedicated to educating underserved women about breast cancer and linking them to early detection screening services.

The Avon Foundation and Breast Cancer Crusade

The Avon Foundation, 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 $450 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 Breast Health Initiative at Whitman-Walker Clinic as one of 122 new grant recipients nationwide in the 2007 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 Breast Health Initiative at the Lesbian Services Program of Whitman-Walker Clinic, please call Chip Lewis at 202-797-3514.  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, 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 1-800-510-WALK. 

Established in 1973, Whitman-Walker Clinic is a non-profit, community-based provider of health care and social services in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Through sites in the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia, the Clinic offers primary medical and dental care; mental health and addictions counseling and treatment; HIV education, prevention and testing; legal services; case management; and a food bank. Whitman-Walker Clinic is committed to meeting the life needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and people living with HIV/AIDS.

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