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TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Avon Breast Care Fund has awarded a $70,000 two-year grant to the American Indian Resource Center in Tahlequah to increase education and awareness of the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

The American Indian Resource Center, which supports the Cherokee Nation Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, is working with the Cherokee Nation’s cancer program using two part-time outreach workers to provide community-based one-on-one and group outreach in rural communities through churches, community centers and other rural facilities.

The breast health program at the resource center will educate Cherokee Nation-area women and refer them to low-cost or free mammograms and clinical breast exams in their own communities.

The $70,000 grant is drawn from funds raised by the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. Since 1993 the crusade has raised $80 million to fund access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on medically-underserved women.

Every woman is at risk for breast cancer. It 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.

"Many factors, ranging from fear to lack of a doctor's recommendation, keep women from practicing good breast health," says Julie Erb, Cherokee Nation Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Coordinator. "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."

The American Cancer Society recommends that women follow three steps for early detection, which continues to offer the best chance for successful treatment: annual mammograms beginning at age 40; annual clinical breast exams beginning at age 20; and monthly breast self-examinations beginning at age 20.

According to the ACS, a majority of women who don’t comply with these guidelines are poor and underserved women.

American Indian Resource Center is one of more than 500 community-based programs that Avon has funded across the U.S. during the last seven years. The funds are awarded as grants through the Avon Products Foundation and are raised by the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, which was launched by Avon Products, Inc. in 1993.

The Avon Crusade’s year-round fundraising efforts include: special pink ribbon products, including pen, pin and candle, sold by nearly 500,000 Avon independent sales representatives across the country; and a national series of Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day fundraising walks, each with some 3,000 walkers and 500 volunteer crew.

The Avon Crusade supports four vital areas of the breast cancer cause, with a focus on medically underserved women: medical research into possible causes, prevention, treatment and cure of breast cancer; financial assistance and support services for breast cancer survivors, patients and their families; educational seminars; and early detection programs nationwide, such as American Indian Resource Center.

For more information on the breast health program at the American Indian Resource Center, please call Julie Erb, phone 918-458-4491. For more information about breast cancer, contact the American Cancer Society, phone 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit them online, http://www.cancer.org.

For online information about the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, "pink ribbon" products and the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day, visit Avon Crusade or call 1-800-FOR-AVON. also visit, Avon 3-Days, or call 1-888-3DAY-AVON.