WASHINGTON (May 6, 2014) — The Avon Foundation announced a $100,000 grant to The George Washington University (GW) Cancer Institute at the 12th annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Washington, D.C.
Eloise Caggiano, a breast cancer survivor and Avon Walk for Breast Cancer program director, announced eight new grants to local breast cancer organizations, ensuring the funds raised immediately benefit the local community. "These grants represent only a portion of the funding that the Avon Foundation will distribute in the Washington, D.C. area and across the country this year, but we want to make sure the impact of your Walk begins today. Every grant moves us closer toward our goal of a world without breast cancer," said Caggiano.
A $100,000 check was presented to Mandi Pratt-Chapman, M.A., director of the GW Cancer Institute, to support an Avon patient navigator. The patient navigator will remove barriers and coordinate access to care for prompt diagnosis, and assist with insurance access and resources for more than 1,000 patients.
"We are so pleased to continue our partnership with the Avon Foundation to help vulnerable patients obtain timely diagnosis and follow up care," said Pratt-Chapman, principal investigator for the award. "Through Avon's support, we are supporting patients at the local level and applying what we learn to develop standards for patient navigation regionally and nationally."
The Avon Walk Washington, D.C. — the second of eight 2014 Avon Walks across the country — attracted 2,000 participants from 42 states and D.C., as well as Canada, Bulgaria and Puerto Rico. In addition, 260 breast cancer survivors and 285 men joined together to raise lifesaving funds for breast cancer.
To find out about additional grants and support given to local organizations at the Avon Walk in Washington, D.C., please visit http://www.avonwalk.org/press/annual-avon-walk-for-breast-cancer-washington-d-c-raises-4-5-million.html.
Media: For more information, please contact Lisa Anderson at lisama2@gwu.edu or 202-994-3121.
About the GW Cancer Institute:
The GW Cancer Institute, housed within the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, takes a comprehensive approach to a complex disease. Working together with the GW Hospital and GW Medical Faculty Associates, the GW Cancer Institute brings multidisciplinary clinical, research, education and outreach programs together in a comprehensive approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. The mission of the GW Cancer Institute is to ensure access to quality, patient-centered care across the cancer continuum through community engagement, patient and family empowerment, health care professional education, policy advocacy and collaborative multi-disciplinary research. http://www.gwcancerinstitute.org
About the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Washington, D.C.:
The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Washington, D.C. began on Saturday, May 3 at 6:30 a.m. with an inspirational opening ceremony at the Washington Monument Grounds. Participants then walked 26.2 miles through the Washington, D.C. area, supported by an all-volunteer crew and cheered on by supporters. They spent Saturday night at the Walk's "Wellness Village" at Meadowbrook Park, featuring pink two-person tents, hot showers and meals, entertainment and volunteer medical services, as well as leisure activities such as yoga and a spa zone with mini-back and foot massages.
On Sunday, May 4, after completing the Avon Walk's final 13.1 miles, participants joined family and friends to celebrate their achievement at the closing ceremony back at the Washington Monument Grounds where the new grants were awarded.