WILTON – The Healthy Community Coalition has received a $45,000 grant to continue a breast cancer awareness program in Western Maine.

The Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund awarded the one-year continuation grant to educate women 40 and up about how and why to get mammograms, according to an HCC release.

“This year’s funding from the Avon Foundation recognizes the quality and accomplishments of HCC’s breast and cervical cancer awareness program over the past six years,” the statement said.

The awareness program not only educates women about the importance of getting mammograms – Franklin County has a high rate of breast cancer deaths – it also refers them to places where they can get low-cost or free exams, the release said. This year, HCC will expand outreach services into the northern parts of Franklin County.

“The best approach in our very rural, tight-knit community is a home grown approach, and we are thankful to the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund for recognizing that with a continuation grant to the Healthy Community Coalition,” said Jennifer McCormack, R.N., program coordinator for HCC, in the release.