The United States Postal Service recently announced that Rate of U.S. Breast Cancer Research Stamp Raised (dateline June 4, 2002) | Breast Health News | Imaginis - The Women's Health & Wellness Resource Network

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Rate of U.S. Breast Cancer Research Stamp Raised (dateline June 4, 2002)


The United States Postal Service recently announced that it has raised the price of its breast cancer research semi-postal stamp from 40 cents to 45 cents, effective March 23, 2002. The increase comes after new legislation regarding semi-postal stamps and the upcoming rate increase of the first-class stamp from the current 34 cents to 37 cents later in 2002. The "Fund the Fight, Find a Cure" breast cancer stamp was released in July 1998 to help fund breast cancer research. To date, it has raised more than $23 million.

The breast cancer research stamp is the first stamp in U.S. history to have its net proceeds (now 11 cents) above the cost of the stamp (34 cents) earmarked for breast cancer research. The additional 11 cents from each stamp goes to the National Institutes of Health (70%) and the Medical Research Program of the Defense Department (30%). (When the rate of the first-class stamp increases to 37 cents later this year, the net proceeds will decrease to eight cents per stamp sold). The breast cancer stamp will remain on sale through December 2003.

The stamp’s introduction was a direct result of the efforts of Dr. Ernie Bodai, MD, a Breast Health Specialist who has treated more than 2000 women with breast cancer over the last 15 years. Dr. Bodai travels the United States addressing groups of women about breast cancer.

The stamp was designed by Ethel Kessler, a breast cancer survivor in Bethesda, Maryland and was illustrated by Whitney Sherman of Baltimore, Maryland. The stamp portrays the Roman Goddess, Diana, protector of women in Roman Mythology. Diana is reaching for a quiver, symbolizing that she will protect women from harm. Diana’s arm is raised in the same position a woman would raise her arm during a mammogram or breast self-exam. In the place of her right breast is the circular "Fund the Fight, Find the Cure" logo. Since the price is not printed on the stamp, the design did not change when the rate was increased in March 2002.

Later this year, the United States Postal Service plans to release its second-ever semi-postal stamp to honor the rescuers of the September 11 attacks on America. That stamp's design, based on a photograph of three firefighters raising the American flag amidst the World Trade Center ruble, was unveiled by President Bush in March 2002.

Additional Resources and References

  • The March 21, 2002 United States Postal Service news release, "U.S. Postal Service To Revalue Breast Cancer Research Semipostal," is available at http://www.usps.com
  • The Imaginis article, "Fund the Fight: Help Stamp Out Breast Cancer!" provides more information about the breast cancer research stamp: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/stamp.asp