April 1, 2003

Mammovan Receives $100,000 Grant From Avon Foundation

The George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates (MFA) Mobile Mammography Program has been awarded a one-year $100,000 grant from the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund to support its work on this important health issue.

The only one of its kind in the area, the GW MFA Mobile Mammography Program provides screening mammograms to women in the underserved community six days a week. Made possible through a grant from the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation in 1996, the GW Mammovan has reached more than 15,000 women with screenings and information about the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

“Many factors, ranging from fear to lack of a doctor’s recommendation, keep women from practicing good breast health,” says Jean M. Lynn, program director of the GW Breast Care Center and Mobile Mammography Program. “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.”

It will fund two critical positions in the program: Josilu Portella, assistant director of the GW Mobile Mammography Program also will serve as the new Bilingual Health Educator, who will ensure that any patient screened on the GW Mammovan has access to bilingual services. Kathleen Mahar is the new director of patient support services and social worker, who will ensure that if a diagnosis of cancer is established, women will receive appropriate care and follow-up.

The grant is part of Avon’s mission to increase cancer awareness by providing financial support to programs that deliver breast cancer screening services to the underserved community.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the US and the leading single cause of death overall in women between the ages of 40 and 55, it is estimated that there will be 273,000 new cases of breast cancer this year. Of that number, 30–40 percent of breast cancer deaths could be avoided if detected early enough.

“We are the only mobile mammography van in the metro area,” says Patricia A. Bango, executive coordinator of the GW MFA. “The fact that we reach out to uninsured neighborhoods is one of the biggest factors [the Avon Foundation] took into consideration. We can go to places where women aren’t getting mammograms.”

For more information on the GW MFA Mobile Mammography program, call Bango at 741-3272. For information about the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade and the Avon Foundation, visit www.avoncrusade.com and www.avonfoundation.com.

 

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