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HERSHEY, Pa. – Thousands of Pennsylvania taxpayers who participate in the state’s Income Tax Check-Off for Breast and Cervical Cancer Research deserve recognition for the thousands of dollars in grants that will be awarded to Pennsylvania-based researchers this year. On Monday, February 11 at 9:30 a.m., the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition will be holding a press conference to kick-off the 2008 Income Tax Check-Off campaign at Penn State Hershey in the University Conference Center to honor researchers selected to receive grants in 2008.
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 Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition 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.
PBCC President & 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.”
Halpin-Murphy chairs the PA Cancer Control, Prevention and Research Advisory Board’s Income Tax Check-Off Committee, which recommends how the refund donations should be distributed. To date, 49 research grants have been awarded.
8 researchers have been selected to receive grants in 2008. They are: David Feith, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; Judith Weisz, MB, BChir, Pennsylvania State University Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; Marius Sudol, Ph.D., Geisinger Clinic; Raghbir Athwal, Ph.D., Temple University; Judy Quong, Ph.D., Thomas Jefferson University; Andrew Quong, Ph.D., Thomas Jefferson University; Barry Cooperman, University of Pennsylvania; Stella Somiari, Ph.D., Windber Research Institute.
“Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute is pleased to receive support for two investigators working in breast and cervical cancer,” said Thomas P. Loughran Jr., M.D., director. “The goal of each of these projects is to better understand cancer biology so we can develop better prevention strategies and treatments for women's cancers.”
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 that creates the hope of a brighter tomorrow by providing action and information to women with breast cancer today. For more information, visit www.pabreastcancer.org. |
