UCI’s Breast Cancer Unit Gets a Boost

UC Irvine has received a $2.2-million gift from the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade to continue research on the genetic origins of the disease and to expand treatment options for low-income and minority women.

The gift to UCI’s Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center was announced Tuesday as part of Avon’s $14-million total donation that includes four other research institutions, Cancer Care Inc. in New York and the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund in Washington.

“The money will go for both research and treatment to women who would not otherwise get it,” said UCI Medical School dean Dr. Thomas C. Cesario. “It’s a very special award. It’s particularly significant because . . . we were selected by Avon among 125 American medical schools. This is not something we applied for.”

UC Irvine was chosen through a screening process that looked at reputation--it is one of 37 nationally designated comprehensive cancer centers, with strong research programs and a history of serving low-income women.

Patricia Sterling, senior manager of Avon’s Breast Cancer Crusade, which was established by the cosmetics company, said: “We were looking for centers that had a demonstrated commitment to medically underserved women. We wanted an academic health center . . . with impeccable credentials and a faculty that included women physicians and scientists.”

The gift will let UC Irvine establish free or low-cost services including counseling, transportation, home care, wound care, prostheses and genetic testing.