Actor Patrick Dempsey Announces Donation by the Instituto Avon of a Digital Mammography Unit to UNIFESP's Gynecology Department

SAO PAULO, May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- During his recent visit to Brazil for the launch of his second fragrance Patrick Dempsey 2, exclusive for Avon, American actor Patrick Dempsey made room in his busy schedule to join Avon Brazil President Luis Felipe Miranda to announce the donation of a digital Mammography Unit to the Gynecology Department of the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP).  Also joining Dempsey and Miranda were Dr. Afonso Nazario, Chief of Gynecology Department at the Federal University of Sao Paulo; Dr. Walter Manna Albertoni, Dean of the Federal University of Sao Paulo and Lirio Cipriani, Executive Director, Instituto Avon.

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"This public-private partnership fills us with pride, since it enables us to save many lives. The digital equipment can perform 50% more mammograms per day compared to the analogical equipment. It will also provide UNIFESP medical students and residents the opportunity to work with the latest technology," says Dr. Afonso Nazario, Chief of Gynecology Department at UNIFESP.

In Brazil, 10,000 women die of breast cancer every year. Brazilian Cancer Institute INCA estimates another 50,000 cases will be diagnosed until the end of 2010 – 137 new cases per day, and more than 5 new cases per hour.

Luis Felipe Miranda, President of Avon Brazil, says the company has been doing their part to help curb Breast Cancer mortality around the world. "Through December 2009, Avon global philanthropy, led by the Avon Foundation for Women has raised and invested more than 640 million dollars in programs to improve women's lives, with the largest part of the resources allocated to breast cancer.  In Brazil, Instituto Avon invested approximately 12 million dollars, which has helped pay for 24 mammography and 21 ultrasound machines, benefiting more than 1.6 million women."

"Because I am associated with my own cancer center that deals directly with this disease, and because of my own personal history, I admire the work carried out by Avon. I am so proud of Avon's global contributions to promote early detection, treatment and Breast Cancer research. I am trilled to have had the opportunity to participate in today's campaign against Breast Cancer and to continue to work with Avon to spread this important message," says Patrick Dempsey.  

In addition to his visit to UNIFESP, Patrick Dempsey also launched his newest Fragrance Patrick Dempsey 2at the red carpet event for Avon International Fragrances at the Casa Fasano. At the event, Patrick had the opportunity to meet top Avon Representatives and Sales Managers and thanked them for all of their support in launching his collection.  Also in attendance celebrating at the event were Brazilian celebrities, top Avon executives and opinion leaders.

Patrick Dempsey, American Actor who can been seen on TV's "Grey's Anatomy" and in films including "Enchanted" and "Made of Honor," is also very active off-screen. Inspired by his mother's successful fight against ovarian cancer, he established the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing in the Central Maine Medical Center. The space offers educational programs and support to cancer patients and their families. His participation in today's ceremony for the donation of the Mammography equipment to UNIFESP supports the Avon campaign against Breast Cancer, which funds research to find ways to prevent and better treat Breast Cancer, as well as efforts to raise awareness that early detection is essential to turn as many diagnoses as possible into stories of survival.

About Avon

Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with over $10 billion in annual revenue. As the world's largest direct seller, Avon markets to women in more than 100 countries through approximately 6.2 million independent Avon Sales Representatives. Avon's product line includes beauty products, as well as fashion and home products, and features such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, and Mark. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avoncompany.com.

About Avon International Fragrances

A new positioning for Avon International Fragrances was launched in 2007 with the first partnership between Avon and world famous French fashion designer Christian Lacroix, launching Avon’s first exclusive signature perfume. This was the first of many other important alliances that made Avon stand out in the international market.  

Avon, the world leader in direct sales, now offers its consumers around the world signature perfumes such the perfume by Emanuel Ungaro, U by Ungaro, and by celebrities who have launched their first perfumes exclusively with Avon: Reese Witherspoon, with In Bloomand Patrick Dempsey, with Unscriptedand Patrick Dempsey 2.  Other names have endorsed Avon perfumes, as Courteney Cox (Spotlight); Brazilian actor Thiago Lacerda (Jet Femme e Jet Homme), international Brazilian-born top model Ana Beatriz Barros (Eternal Magic) and Brazilian model and actress Luiza Brunet, who has a line with her name.

Partnerships with great franchises such as the Triathlon race Ironman, and with the James Bond franchise for the fragrance  Bond Girl 007TM/MC, have also been successful around the world.

With a group of dedicated perfume professionals working at the Avon Excellence Center in the United States, led by Creative Director for Perfume Development Isabel Ryan, the company presents unique fragrances, expressing different emotions and lifestyles. Internationally respected perfumists, sophisticated bottle design, premium packaging, innovation and the highest quality characterize the positioning of Avon International Fragrances.

SOURCE Avon Products, Inc.