Edith Sanford Breast Center receives $45,000 grant

The project granted a total of $1 million to organizations nationwide to support and educate more than 5,000 metastatic breast cancer patients, their caregivers and their communities. It was created in June 2014 to support advocacy, academic and other nonprofit organizations that provide information and services to help people with metastatic breast cancer navigate the medical and emotional challenges associated with their disease.

“To date, the majority of public attention on and funding for breast cancer has centered on early-stage disease – such as screening strategies and survivorship – not on late-stage diagnosis. This program was established to address the gaps in support available to women and men living with metastatic disease and to create new services for metastatic patients,” said Marc Hurlbert, executive director of the Avon Foundation for Women Breast Cancer Crusade. “Our hope is that one day, all patients can access the unique care and support services they need, regardless of their ability to pay.”

Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage of breast cancer and occurs when cancer spreads beyond the breast to other parts of the body, including the bones, lungs, liver and brain. Nearly three in 10 women who have had early breast cancer will eventually develop metastatic disease. There are no cures currently available, and continuous treatment is needed to control the spread of the disease and its symptoms.

Maya Martinez-Davis, regional president, North America, Pfizer Oncology said, “With the public breast cancer conversation focused primarily on early breast cancer, there is a need to foster greater understanding of metastatic disease and increased support for metastatic patients and their caregivers. Our hope is that the projects being funded by the Avon-Pfizer Metastatic Breast Cancer Grants Program will make a meaningful difference to the metastatic breast cancer community.”

For more information, visit avonfoundation.org.