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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    
August 31, 2012

For More Information, Contact:
Lisa Gardiner (916) 651-4011 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

“CHECK THE BOX, FUND THE FIGHT”: SIMITIAN BILL TO BOOST BREAST CANCER RESEARCH HEADS TO GOVERNOR


SACRAMENTO – A bill to allow voluntary contributions to two popular breast cancer research tax check-off funds passed unanimously out of the State Senate today and is now headed to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk. The vote was 37-0.

Senate Bill 1359, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), would extend the voluntary contribution check-offs on state tax forms for the California Breast Cancer Research Program and the California Cancer Research Fund for five years. Without SB 1359, these popular check-offs would expire on January 1, 2013.

“For a number of years, Californians have been able to voluntarily “check the box and fund the fight” to eliminate breast cancer,” Simitian said. “It’s brought in millions in voluntary contributions and funded research and education toward the cause of eliminating breast cancer. We want to continue this opportunity, so that, if they choose, Californians can contribute quickly and conveniently to programs they support.”

The California Breast Cancer Research Program, the largest state-funded research effort in the nation, leads innovations in research and education. Since 2008, the California Breast Cancer Research Program has brought in more than $2.5 million in funding through the state tax check-off. The California Cancer Research Fund conducts research and provides prevention and awareness programs for communities disproportionately impacted by cancer. Since 2008, the California Cancer Research Fund tax check-off has brought in more than $1.3 million in funding.

The Governor has until September 30 to act on the measure.

For more information, visit http://www.senatorsimitian.com

 

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