It was a 39-mile journey that united 1,900 participants from 43 states and Washington, D.C., who all came together in the fight against cancer.
The AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer continued its 14th annual event series in Santa Barbara this weekend, raising $4.6 million to accelerate breast cancer research, and improve access to screening, diagnosis and treatment for people with the disease. Funds raised are distributed to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations.
The University of California Los Angeles and UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) received special recognition during the closing ceremonies at Carpinteria State Park for their continued commitment to research and education to find a cure. The JCCC has established an international reputation for developing targeted cancer therapies and providing leading-edge experimental treatments for the disease.
On hand to receive a $750,000 award on behalf of the cancer center was Dr. Melinda Maggard Gibbons, a JCCC member and professor of surgery at UCLA. The grant will continue to fund the Avon Cares for Life program located at the Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, which is dedicated to enhancing the quality of care for uninsured and low-income patients who have been diagnosed with or are at risk for breast cancer.
“The ongoing support of the Avon Foundation for Women has transformed the lives of our patients, their families and friends,” said Dr. Maggard Gibbons. “The generous fundraising efforts of all those who participated in Avon 39 will help us to continue our mission of providing services to those women most in need and educating the public about breast cancer.”
Since the AVON 39’s launch in 2003, more than 220,000 participants have raised nearly $590,000,000.
