California Breast Cancer Research Program Receives $500,000 from Avon Foundation
Funds Increase Support into Racial/Ethnic Disparities, Environmental Exposures and Breast Cancer
July 14, 2008—Oakland, CA—The Avon Foundation has awarded a $500,000 grant to the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP) to support its funding for ground-breaking breast cancer research in California. CBCRP Director, Mhel Kavanaugh-Lynch, M.D., M.P.H., who accepted the award during a ceremony at the conclusion of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in San Francisco on Sunday, July 13, said, “We are thrilled to have the Avon Foundation stand shoulder to shoulder with the California Breast Cancer Research Program in our efforts to eliminate breast cancer’s heavy toll on California women and men.”
The Avon Foundation grant will be earmarked for three of the ten CBCRP Special Research Initiatives. Two of the initiatives support research exploring environmental exposures and breast cancer among large and diverse groups of women at several points through their life, and the third project will combine data from multiple California studies to explore answers to why people from different racial and ethnic groups have different survival outcomes, despite being diagnosed with breast cancer at the same stage.
“Questions about disparities and the environment’s impact have been around for a long time,” said Debra Oto-Kent, breast cancer survivor, Executive Director of the Health Education Council, and chair of the CBCRP’s advisory council from 2003–2005. “We have the opportunity to create solutions through leveraging California’s unique resources and supporting coordinated statewide efforts.”
The CBCRP began its Special Research Initiatives four years ago by setting aside one third of its funding to support ten initiatives that will answer questions about the role of the environment in breast cancer and the disparities of the disease. These initiatives utilize California’s diverse populations and extensive research infrastructure to focus on the complex and challenging questions that have thwarted traditional research approaches.
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 Avon philanthropic programs worldwide have raised and awarded more than $500 million. Now past the half century milestone, the Avon Foundation brings this mission to life through two key areas: breast cancer and domestic violence. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992, and Avon breast cancer programs in some 50 countries support advancing access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. Funding is awarded to beneficiaries ranging from leading cancer centers to community-based breast health programs for awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research. Fundraising is through a variety of “pink ribbon” products, events, races and walks. The largest is the U.S. Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series, which began in 2003. For more information on the Avon Foundation visit www.avonfoundation.org/.
About the California Breast Cancer Research Program:
The mission of the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP) is to eliminate breast cancer by leading innovation in research, communication, and collaboration in the California scientific and lay communities.
Created by the State Legislature in 1993, the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP) is the largest state-funded breast cancer research program in the nation and is administered by the University of California, Office of the President. To date, the CBCRP has awarded 803 grants to 95 scientific institutions and community entities, totaling more than $189 million for research in California to prevent, treat, and cure breast cancer. Grants from the CBCRP fill gaps not traditionally funded by other research programs to jump-start new areas of investigation that push the boundaries of research and foster new collaborations. The CBCRP is funded through the voluntary tax check-off program on personal income tax form 540, a portion of the state tobacco tax, and individual contributions. For more information, call 888 313-2277, or visit www.cabreastcancer.org.
