The Avon Foundation announced a $1.25 million gift to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center for the Avon Breast Cancer Immunotherapy Research Initiative. The announcement was made by Teddi Jacobson of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.

The 2002 Avon Foundation gift of $1.25 million will be allocated toward a focused collaborative effort to investigate the immunobiology of breast cancer and to develop immune-based therapies for breast cancer. The initiative will also enhance and expand activities in breast cancer research directed at vaccine development and specific immunotherapy. The funds were raised by the programs of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, including the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Days.

"We are extremely grateful to the Avon Foundation for this second gift," stated Lee Hartwell, president and director of Fred Hutchinson. "Their generous support, which is in addition to the $2.5 million we received last year, will allow us to support three developmental research projects, based on promising preliminary data, identified as having a high potential for future translation to clinical trials. It will also enable us to bring young scientists into the field of breast cancer immunotherapy by supporting a fellowship in immunology."

"Avon is proud to provide additional funding to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to support their outstanding work," stated Ms. Jacobson. "The citizens of the Seattle area benefit from the quality care they deliver, and the entire nation will benefit from their research initiatives."