DEARBORN, Mich. — The Avon Breast Health Outreach Program has awarded a $60,000, one-year grant to the ACCESS Community Health and Research Center (CHRC) to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of the early detection of breast cancer. It is the 18th year that the program has received funding from the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade to support its work on this important health issue, and in recognition of the program’s excellence.
The breast health program at ACCESS Community Health and Research Center (CHRC) will educate women over the age of 40 who reside in the metro Detroit area, and refer them to low-cost or free mammograms and clinical breast exams in their own communities. The vital program will also:
Since January 1997, the Breast Cancer Outreach Project at ACCESS has reached more than 30,000 women with information about the importance of the early detection of breast cancer, and has referred nearly 26,000 women for mammograms and clinical breast exams.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, 8,150 new cases of breast cancer will be detected in Michigan this year, and 1,410 lives will be lost. 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 Cancer Outreach Project help ensure that all women have access to early detection information and options, even poor and medically underserved women.
“Many barriers, such as cultural inhibitions toward cancer, disease, fear, transportation and language, or lack of a doctor’s recommendation, prevent women from practicing good breast health,” said Mona Makki, director of the ACCESS CHRC. “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. This grant is particularly timely given that we are experiencing a large influx of Iraqi and Syrian refugees. This grant will help refugees and immigrants who are at risk by providing education and early detection services.”
Since 1993, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has awarded more than 1,800 grants to community-based breast health programs across the United States, including the Breast Cancer Outreach Project at the ACCESS CHRC. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade awards funding to beneficiaries ranging from leading cancer centers to community-based grassroots breast health programs to support breast cancer research and access to care. Many programs are dedicated to educating underserved women about breast cancer and linking them to early detection screening services.
The Avon Breast Health Outreach Program 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 Cancer Outreach Project at the ACCESS CHRC as one of 56 new grant recipients nationwide in the 2016 cycle of Avon Breast Health Outreach Program 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 on the Breast Cancer Outreach Project at the ACCESS CHRC please call Hiam Hamade at 313-216-2200. To learn more about the Avon Breast Health Outreach Program, visit www.avonbhop.org
About ACCESS
Grounded in a grassroots commitment to serving our community, ACCESS has a 45-year history of providing health, education, employment and social services. An Arab American nonprofit of excellence, ACCESS empowers communities in Southeast Michigan to improve their economic, social and cultural well-being and extends this mission nationally through advocacy, arts, culture and philanthropy.