FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact: Renée Gaines
Thursday, September 20, 2001                                        (626) 332-2255

UPDATE:  Senate Passes Legislation
We still need you to contact your U.S. Representative in the House. 

U.S. Senate Approves Continuation of Breast Cancer Research Stamp for Six More Years  

Urgent Call to Action to Save the Breast Cancer Research Stamp 

PLEASE ACT NOW -- WE NEED YOUR HELP!                      

           LOS ANGELES, CA  – United States Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Betsy Mullen President/CEO of Women’s Information Network Against Breast Cancer (WIN ABC) once again are counting on Congress and the American public to save a first of its kind postage stamp designed to save lives.  The historic Breast Cancer Research Stamp has raised over $22 million to date to fund breast cancer research. The awareness raised as a result of this country’s first fundraising stamp continues to be priceless.  These two individuals have worked diligently, alongside many others over the past four years, to ensure the continued success of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp that is slated to be discontinued in July 2002. 

The U.S. Senate late last night approved legislation offered by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and Kay Bailey Hutchison  (R-Texas) to extend the life of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp for an additional six years in a strong show of bipartisan support to save the historic stamp which is slated to be taken off the market next year despite continued strong sales and millions of dollars raised for research.

The legislation was included as part of the Fiscal Year 2002 Treasury-Postal Appropriations bill that was approved unanimously by the Senate last night.  If Congressional action is not taken, the stamp could expire next July.   The full House of Representatives has yet to act on the measure.  

"Virtually everywhere I travel, people tell me they buy these beautiful stamps in the hopes of helping to find a cure for breast cancer," Senator Feinstein said. "This stamp has raised over $22 million dollars for research as more than 300 million stamps have been purchased -- that's more than one for every American."  

“The Breast Cancer Research Stamp is just as necessary today as it was 3 years ago when Congress first authorized the stamp,” said Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT).  “An estimated 192,200 new invasive cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States this year alone and an estimated 40,600 deaths (40,200 women, 400 men) from breast cancer are expected in 2001.  However, thanks to breakthroughs in cancer research, more people are becoming cancer survivors.”

One stamp at a time and pennies at a time, the American people have come together to raise millions of dollars, awareness and hope to the all too many still searching for a cure to this rampant disease that has become a blight on our nation,” said Betsy Mullen of WIN Against Breast Cancer, a leading proponent of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp.

      "The millions in additional funds raised by the breast cancer research stamp have been instrumental in the battle against this terrible disease," Senator Hutchison said.  "Each time this stamp is used, we send a clear message that by working together we can make a difference in the war against breast cancer."  

 “Many Americans have given life to the Breast Cancer Research Stamp and the stamp has given hope to the all too many still searching for a cure to this rampant disease that has become a blight on our nation,” said Betsy Mullen of WIN Against Breast Cancer, herself a breast cancer survivor.  “The public support for this stamp has been unparalleled.  We urge swift passage through Congress and undiminished support from individuals and corporations throughout our country to ensure the stamp’s survival.  The United States Congress and the American people now represent the lifeline for this landmark stamp,” said Mullen.  “We encourage the public to continue to buy the stamp and to call their members in the US House of Representatives to voice their strong support for the important legislation that Senators Feinstein and Hutchison passed last night together with an overwhelming majority of the United States Senate,” said Mullen.  

U.S. Representatives David Dreier (R-28-CA), Sue Kelly (R-19-NY), Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-37-CA) and Congressman Dan Burton (R-6-IN), Chairman of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight;  a long-time champion of this special stamp and the cause that it represents are among the Breast Cancer Research Stamp’s leading proponents in the US House of Representatives.  

“The breast cancer research stamp is a great way for consumers to donate funds to fight a terrible disease that touches the lives of so many Americans”, said Congressman David Dreier.”   I am very proud to represent WIN Against Breast Cancer, an organization that has helped to lead the way.”  

     "This stamp represents one of the easiest methods to raise funds to battle breast cancer.  By purchasing this stamp, Americans have already shown their commitment to combating this affliction more than 300 million times, raising over $22 million”, said Congresswoman Sue Kelly.  “To allow production of the stamp to lapse at a time when sales remain strong would be a mistake. Through this legislation, we can continue the fight against breast cancer."  

The legislation, which had 85 cosponsors in the Senate and which has over 160 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, is supported by numerous individuals representing diverse organizations, including The National Association for Women's Health; The March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation; The American Association of Retired Persons; The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; The YWCA of the USA; The Brain Injury Association; The Center on Disability and Health; The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc.; The American Lung Association of California; The American Association of Health Plans and The Women’s Information Network (WIN) Against Breast Cancer.  

The net proceeds from sales of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp benefit breast cancer research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DoD) Breast Cancer Research Programs.

          Last year, the General Accounting Office (GAO) released a report showing that the Breast Cancer Research Stamp has been a success and an effective fundraiser in the effort to boost funds to fight the disease.  The General Accounting Office said in the report, "On the basis of the collective results of all the measures we used to evaluate effectiveness, we believe the Breast Cancer Research Stamp has been an effective fund-raiser."  The report also goes on to assert that "the Breast Cancer Research Stamp has been successful."

           Breast Cancer Research Stamps can be purchased by calling 1-800-STAMP 24 and on-line at: http://shop.usps.com  (Product search keywords: Breast Cancer Research Stamp)  

To learn more about the National Institutes of Health Breast Cancer Research Program and the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) breast cancer research grants derived from the stamp, visit:

http://newscenter.cancer.gov/pressreleases/stampawards.html  

  To learn more about the Breast Cancer Research Stamp and the involvement of the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program, visit:

http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/factsheets/bcstampfactsheet.htm

 Women’s Information Network Against Breast Cancer is a national non-profit organization committed to increasing public awareness about breast cancer and ensuring that individuals from all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds have rapid access to quality breast cancer care, state-of-the-art education, support and information about this disease.  For more information about WIN ABC, its programs and services, please visit WIN’s web site at www.winabc.org 

Last Updated: 10/05/2003

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