BEAUMONT, Texas – The Avon Breast Health Outreach Program has awarded a $45,000 one-year grant to the Gift of Life Program to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast cancer. It is the sixth 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 Gift of Life Women’s Health Program educates Southeast Texan women and provides them free mammograms and clinical breast exams in their own communities. The vital program also delivers lifesaving education and diagnostic testing, when needed. Clients diagnosed through the Gift of Life are navigated through treatment by expert case managers.

Since 1994, the Gift of Life has reached more than 100,000 women with information about the importance of early detection of breast cancer and has offered more than 27,000 free mammograms and clinical breast exams.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the United States. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 16,510 new cases of breast cancer will be detected in Texas this year and 2,710 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 Gift of Life help ensure that all women have access to early detection information and options, even poor and medically underserved women.

“Southeast Texas is honored that the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has chosen to support the Gift of Life Program,” said The Honorable Jeff Branick, County Judge of Jefferson County, Texas. “The Gift of Life is invested in the lives of our citizens and does a lifesaving work in our community. The funding provided by the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade will further this organization’s critical mission throughout seven Southeast Texas counties.”

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 Gift of Life. 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. Visit avonbhop.org or more information.

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 Gift of Life is 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 Gift of Life Women’s Health Program, please call 409.833.3663 or visit giftoflifebmt.org. To learn more about the Avon Breast Health Outreach Program, visit www.avonbhop.org.