Lancaster County Event Urges Tax Refund Donations for Breast Cancer Research

Alice Sanders, South Central Vice President of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC), is announcing a news conference to support the PBCC's Income Tax Check-off initiative for Breast Cancer Research.

The event is set for Tuesday, February 13, 2001, at 6 P.M. in the Council Chambers at Southern Market Center, 100 S. Queen Street, Lancaster. Mayor Charles W. Smithgall will participate.

Other speakers include Pat Halpin-Murphy, President and Founder of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and the Honorable Katie True, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Commission on Women. Reverend Edward M. Bailey, of the Bethel AME Church, will offer the invocation.

In 1997, through legislation initiated by the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, Governor Tom Ridge established an income tax check-off provision allowing Pennsylvanians to donate all or part of their state tax refund to breast and cervical cancer research. The average tax refund donation is $8.00 and to date the PBCC's Income Tax Check Off Initiative raised over $700,000 dollars for research to find a cure.

PBCC President and Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy states that, "One hundred percent of the money raised is awarded in grants to researchers across the state." Last year First Lady Michele Ridge, Honorary Chair of the PBCC, and Halpin-Murphy presented grants averaging $30,000 to six researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center, Penn State University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Pittsburgh.

Halpin-Murphy chairs the Department of Health's committee, which selects the research grants. "The Income Tax Check-off gives every Pennsylvania taxpayer the opportunity to help find a cure for breast cancer now.so our daughters won't have to." said Halpin-Murphy, "We are pleased to join forces with Mayor Smithgall and the residents of Lancaster to promote this program. The day before Valentine's Day is a wonderful time to consider a tax refund donation to the Income Tax Check Off for Breast Cancer Research. It is a gift of love and life for every woman and her family."

The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition serves as the only statewide grassroots organization that speaks to and for breast cancer survivors. The PBCC represents patients, survivors, families, advocates, medical professionals, government, labor and business leaders who are dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer.

If you know of a unique way to benefit the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, call 717-738-9567 ext 102.