FARMINGTON — The Healthy Community Coalition has received a $55,000 one-year grant from Avon Breast Health Outreach Program to help increase awareness of the lifesaving benefits of early detection of breast cancer.

For the 10th year, the local program has received funding from the Avon Foundation for Women to support its work and in recognition of the program’s excellence.

The breast health program at Healthy Community Coalition educates area women and refers them to low-cost or free mammograms and clinical breast exams. The program also provides scheduling and logistical assistance to women throughout Greater Franklin County to help ensure women receive timely breast care and follow up. Women who would like to arrange to receive a free mammogram, of more general information, can contact Jennifer McCormack, RN, at the Healthy Community Coalition at 779-2926 or [email protected].

Since 1995, the Breast Health Outreach Program at Healthy Community Coalition has provided education about the importance of early detection of breast cancer, referred women for mammograms and clinical breast exams, and has provided transportation and other assistance to women facing difficulty accessing care.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the United States, and the leading single cause of death overall in women between the ages of 40 and 55. Nationwide, there is a new diagnosis every three minutes and a death from breast cancer every 14 minutes. While advances have been made in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure, early detection still affords the best opportunity for successful treatment.

“We are proud that the Avon Foundation for Women shares our mission and has chosen to support our program. With these funds we will be able to reach women throughout Greater Franklin County with education and screening services,” McCormack, program coordinator, said.

Since 1993, the Avon Foundation has awarded more than 1,425 grants to community-based breast health programs across the United States, including the breast health outreach program at Healthy Community Coalition.

For more information about breast cancer, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4-CANCER or www.cancer.gov.