Dreier Works to Increase Breast Cancer Research Funding

August 8, 2001

WASHINGTON - In an effort to promote awareness and increase funding for breast cancer research, Representative David Dreier (R-San Dimas) joined Representatives Sue Kelly (R-NY) and Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA) last week to introduce the Breast Cancer Reauthorization Act of 2001. The bill will extend sales of the U.S. Postal Service’s Breast Cancer Research Stamp through 2008. It is currently set to expire by July 2002.

Spearheaded by the Covina, California based Women’s Information Network Against Breast Cancer (WIN ABC), the stamp has raised nearly $21.5 million for breast cancer research in less than three years. “No one has done more in the fight against breast cancer than organizations such as WIN Against Breast Cancer,” said Dreier. “Their hard work has helped increase awareness of this terrible disease and encouraged support for life-saving research. I’m proud to represent the people behind WIN ABC’s great work.”

A recent WIN ABC report found that nearly 192,200 new invasive cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. alone this year, with almost 40,600 breast cancer-related deaths. The Breast Cancer Research stamp is the first U.S. stamp to have its net proceeds above the cost of postage earmarked for a research organization or cause.

Among those supporting the effort to extend authorization for the stamp are the American Cancer Society and the California Nurses Association. H.R. 2725 currently has 125 cosponsors in the House of Representatives. Last year the Senate passed S. 2386, the Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2000.