(Ephrata, PA) The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) is urging residents to donate all or part of their state income tax refunds for breast and cervical cancer research. As part of the PBCC's Income Tax Check-Off Initiative PA taxpayers can join this highly successful and unique cancer research effort by checking line 37 on their PA 40, or line 17 on their PA-EZ tax form.

Last year, the average Income Tax Check-Off donation was $8.00, and since 1997 thousands of Pennsylvania taxpayers donated nearly $1,000,000 to the state's Income Tax Check-Off for breast and cervical cancer research. Every penny raised through the PBCC's Income Tax Check-Off stays in our state and goes directly to the researchers. Pennsylvania ranks 4th in the U.S. for breast cancer incidence. It is estimated that more than 11,000 PA women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and more than 2,300 will die.

Pat Halpin-Murphy, PBCC President and Founder, chairs the Income Tax Check-Off Committee which recommends how the refund donations should be distributed. Last year, the following scientists were awarded grants of up to $30,000 each:

Stephen G. Grant, Ph.D.
University of Pittsburgh,
"Cumulative Genotoxicity of Chemotherapeutic Cocktails;"
Glenn L. Radice Ph.D.
University of PA
"Cap Cell-Derived Tumors: A Model of Invasive Breast Cancer;"
Mary B. Daly, M.D., Ph.D.
Fox Chase Cancer Center
"Enhancing Support for Recipients of Genetic Testing Results;"
Craig Meyers, Ph.D.
Penn State University
"Effect of Contraceptive Hormones on HPV Replication and Carcinogenesis;"
Aurelia M.C. Koros, Ph.D.
University of Pittsburgh
"Toward Individualized Monoclonal Antibody Radioisotope Targeted Therapy or Metastatic Breast Cancer;"
Jeffrey D. Winkler, Ph.D.
University of PA
"Synthesis of Microtubule Stabilizing Chemotherapeutics."

"The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition is a powerful force in the fight against this tragic disease," said Governor Tom Ridge and First Lady Michele Ridge, PBCC Honorary Chair. "On behalf of all Pennsylvanians, we're deeply grateful for the PBCC's dedication to finding a cure now. Breast cancer is more than a woman's health issue - it affects fathers, husbands, brothers and sons. The PBCC's compassion, commitment and hard work give new hope to women and their families throughout the Commonwealth."

Pat Halpin-Murphy, PBCC President and Founder states, "The PBCC is a force for women and their families in our state. When the PBCC initiated The Income Tax Check-Off in 1997 we knew it would provide vital, life-saving research. The incredible success of this simple and effective way to raise research dollars renews our commitment to find a cure for breast cancer now. so our daughters won't have to.©"

The PBCC, founded in 1993, is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the breast cancer epidemic through research, education, outreach and advocacy. As the only statewide grassroots organization that speaks to and for breast cancer survivors, the PBCC insured the passage of two crucial pieces of Commonwealth legislation: The Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Act, which allows taxpayers to donate all or part of their state income tax refunds to breast and cervical cancer research; and The Breast Cancer Reconstructive Surgery Act, which mandates insurance coverage for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction and prohibits out-patient mastectomies.

The PBCC serves each of the Commonwealth's 67 counties through the Income Tax Check-Off, Mother's Day Mammograms®, the Keystone Breast Cancer Conference, and 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania. For more information about the PBCC visit our website at www.pabreastcancer.org or call 717/738-9567x102 or toll free 1-800-377-8828.