LOS ANGELES - The landmark legislation which authorizes the United States
Postal Service to become a partner in the fight against breast cancer, was
extended by Congress for another two year period Wednesday evening when the
U.S. Senate passed the legislation clearing the way for moving the bill to
the President's desk as early as Friday. The House of Representatives
approved the bill early last week.
The "Stamp Out Breast Cancer Act" legislation originally became law two years
ago through the staunch efforts of breast cancer survivor Betsy Mullen,
founder, president/CEO of the Women's Information Network Against Breast
Cancer (WIN ABC), a national non-profit organization based in Los Angeles,
California. The law provides for the United States Postal Service to sell
special breast cancer research "semipostal" stamps at the price of .40 with
the additional .07 going directly to efforts to fund and find a cure for
breast cancer.
Leading the fight for reauthorization and the stamp's original champion in
the Senate, was Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). We owe a huge debt of gratitude to
Senator Feinstein along with Senator Feinstein's co-sponsors. Special thanks
go out to Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Fred Thompson (R-TN), Carl
Levin (D-MI) and Thad Cochran (R-MS).
Earlier last week the House passed the bill through the leadership of
Representatives John McHugh (R-24th NY), Charles Bass (R-2nd/NH) and Dan Burton
(R-6th/IN).
"WIN ABC is grateful for the tremendous support shown by the American public,
organizations such as the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation, as well as the tireless efforts of so many in Washington who understand the importance of the fight we are waging against this disease which takes the lives of nearly 44,000 women and men each
year," says WIN President/CEO Betsy Mullen.
As of June 2000, over 214 million stamps have been sold raising over $15
million for breast cancer research. The awareness raised as a result has
been priceless. Mullen predicts that with the continued support of the
American people and with corporate support throughout the country, it is
possible sales over the next two years could double -- raising another $30
million for biomedical research.
Women's Information Network Against Breast Cancer is committed to increasing
public awareness about breast cancer and ensuring that individuals from all
cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds have rapid access to state-of-the-art
education, support and information about this disease.
Additional information about WIN ABC, breast cancer resources and how to
become more involved in efforts to "fund the fight to find a cure" by
promoting the historic breast cancer research stamp can be obtained by
visiting the WIN ABC web site at www.winabc.org.
Last Updated: 06/01/2004
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