The U.S. Postal Service’s Breast Cancer Research Stamp Raises $50 million for Breast Cancer Research; New Five-Year Goal Set at $100 Million for Breast Cancer Research

Sacramento, CA (June 7, 2006) - Cure Breast Cancer Inc. announced that the Breast Cancer Research U.S. Postal Stamp has raised more than $50 million for breast cancer research. The stamp was created and initially funded by Ernie Bodai, MD, a renowned breast cancer surgeon at Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento, California. The stamp is the first-ever fundraising stamp to be issued and sold with a six cent differential which is provided to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense (DOD) to specifically fund breast cancer research. Over 800 million stamps have already been sold.

“Never beyond my wildest dreams could I have imagined that the breast cancer stamp would raise millions of dollars for breast cancer research,” said an elated Dr. Ernie Bodai. “Although we have yet to find a cure from this horrid disease, I am grateful we are now able to have an ongoing effort to fund the necessary research to find a cure," he added.

The Breast Cancer Research Stamp is available for purchase at all Post Offices throughout the United States. Each stamp sells for 45¢ with six cents from every stamp going to breast cancer research.

Cure Breast Cancer, Inc, a nonprofit organization headed by Dr. Bodai, has established a new five year goal to raise $100 million through the sale of the Breast Cancer stamp. Although the Cure Breast Cancer organization has no affiliation with the U.S. Postal Service, nor do they receive any funds from the sale of the stamp, one of the organization’s missions is to promote and advance the sales of the Breast Cancer Stamp.

The citizens of this country have embraced the sales of the stamp and are needed once again to help reach the new goal. “Unfortunately too many of us know someone who has been stricken by beast cancer. Help us find a cure, buy the breast cancer stamp and help us raise $100 million for breast cancer research,” said Bodai.

Dr. Bodai issues this challenge to reinvigorate the need to find a cure. Please join in his effort to reach the goal. For more information, visit www.curebreastcancer.org.

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About the Breast Cancer Stamp
The U.S. Postal Service commissioned breast cancer survivor Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland to design the stamp which features the phrases, "Fund the Fight" and "Find a Cure" and an illustration of a mythical "goddess of the hunt" by Whitney Sherman of Baltimore.

The Breast Cancer Research semipostal was issued on July 29, 1998, at a first day ceremony held in the White House. It was the first semipostal in U.S. history. By law, 70 percent of the net amount raised is given to the National Institutes of Health and 30 percent is given to the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense.

About Dr. Ernie Bodai
Founder of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp, Director of Breast Surgical Services at Kaiser Permanente, and Author, Dr. Bodai is the mastermind and founder Stamp - the first fundraising stamp in U.S. history.

Having treated over 4,000 women with breast cancer, Dr. Bodai became an activist when he noted the alarming rate of decline in breast cancer research funds. His idea, borne of anger, frustration and dismay, became his passion in 1996 when he came up with a simple idea: to raise funds by creating a special postage stamp that retails for a higher price than a regular stamp, the difference of which goes toward breast cancer research. Dr. Bodai criss-crossed America for more than two years, addressing key members of Congress, the U.S. Postal Service, and breast cancer advocates to make this inspired idea a reality.

Dr. Bodai is the author of several books, I Flunked My Mammogram! What You Need To Know About Breast Cancer NOW and also The Breast Cancer Book of Strength and Courage: Inspiring Stories to See You Through Your Journey. I Flunked My PSA! What You Need To Know About Prostate Cancer NOW.

About Cure Breast Cancer, Inc.
Cure Breast Cancer, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing breast health awareness and education to all women and their families. Working through dedicated volunteers, CBC has consistently returned over 90% of all contributions to the community through its programs and services. Cure Breast Cancer Inc. is located Sacramento, California. For more information, visit www.curebreastcancer.org.