WINDBER, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) held a press avail on Thursday, April 3rd at 1 p.m. at the Windber Research Institute, to publicize this year’s Income Tax Check-Off for Breast and Cervical Cancer Research campaign and to congratulate grant recipient, Stella Somiari, Ph.D., Windber Research Institute, for her research “Identification of Biomarkers for Early Breast Cancer Detection”.
The Income Tax Check-Off for Breast and Cervical Cancer Research has become the most popular refund donation option in Pennsylvania since its inception in 1997, when the PBCC worked with the state legislature to enact the program. Every penny of the over $2 million that has been raised through the initiative goes directly to fund breast and cervical cancer research conducted by Pennsylvania researchers. Pennsylvanians are reminded to check line 35 on the PA 40 tax form to donate their state tax refund to help make a difference. To date, 49 research grants have been awarded.
PBCC President and Founder, Pat Halpin-Murphy, said, “The overwhelming response to this initiative demonstrates just how important finding a cure for breast and cervical cancer is to the people of Pennsylvania. It is also a testament to the exceptional researchers that we have right here in our state.”
Seven researchers have been selected to receive grants in 2008. They are: Stella Somiari, Ph.D., Windber Research Institute; Barry Cooperman, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania; Raghbir Athwal, Ph.D., Temple University; Judy Quong, Ph.D., Thomas Jefferson University; Andrew Quong, Ph.D., Thomas Jefferson University; Judith Weisz, MB, BChir, Pennsylvania State University Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; Marius Sudol, Ph.D., Geisinger Clinic and
The PA Breast Cancer Coalition represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and unique outreach initiatives. The PBCC is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure now…so our daughters won’t have to©. For more information, visit www.pabreastcancer.org. |
