Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, celebrates Congressional extension of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp Act through 2011. Bill S. 597, approved unanimously by the U.S. Senate last night and by the House on December 11, now awaits signature by President Bush.

Without the legislation, the stamp would have expired at year’s end. The bill also ensures greater accountability by requiring annual reports to Congress detailing how proceeds from the Breast Cancer Research Stamp are allocated.

785.6 million Breast Cancer Research stamps sold since 1998
The United States Postal Service has sold more than 785.6 million Breast Cancer Research stamps since 1998, making it the top-selling commemorative stamp in U.S. history. By law, 70 percent of funds raised through the sale of the stamp are distributed to the National Institutes of Health, while 30 percent goes to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense. More than $58.3 million dollars for critical breast cancer research and treatment programs have been raised to date.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the more than 50,000 advocates who wrote letters urging reauthorization of the stamp, applauds Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX), and Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-MO) for leading the reauthorization effort. Gratitude goes also to Representatives Joe Baca (D-CA), who introduced a similar bill in the House, as well as the 62 Senators and the more than 200 Representatives who co-sponsored the bills.

“We are grateful for Congressional support of this now historic effort to provide additional funding for breast cancer research,” said Diane Balma, vice president of public policy for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “The stamp is an easy way for people to show their support for breast cancer research and join the global movement fighting for a world without breast cancer.”

The most frequently diagnosed cancer among women, breast cancer is second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths among women. However, with advances in research, treatment and early detection, there are more than two million breast cancer survivors living in the U.S. today.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been a consistent supporter of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp and has advocated for its continued reauthorization.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the global leader in the movement to end breast cancer forever, has announced the recipients of the 2007 Komen Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction, the organization’s highest award of merit.

This year’s recipients are Leslie Bernstein, Ph.D., professor, department of preventive medicine and the inaugural holder of the AFLAC, Inc. Chair in Cancer Research at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and Joe W. Gray, Ph.D., director, division of life sciences, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California.

Dr. Bernstein and Dr. Gray will be formally recognized during the 30th annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), a major international gathering of breast cancer researchers, clinicians and patient advocacy organizations, December 13-16 in San Antonio. The two recipients will deliver lectures for SABCS attendees at 3:45 p.m. December 13 in Exhibit Hall D of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Both will receive cash awards of $25,000 and a crystal award.

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SAN ANTONIO - December 12, 2007 - The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation (TNBC), and Susan G. Komen for the Cure convened one of the first "think tanks" dedicated specifically to triple negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive and difficult-to-treat form of the disease. The meeting was held prior to the opening of the annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Thirty researchers, from leading cancer institutions in North America and Europe, were invited to share information on the latest science, to discuss potential research collaborations and develop a scientific agenda for future research and clinical trials to find effective treatment for women with this subtype of breast cancer. The meeting also marked the first joint effort between Komen for the Cure and TNBC to share resources to accelerate research and progress for these women who are not benefiting from recent advances.

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 We have joined forces with country music legend Garth Brooks with the release of the Pink Edition of "Garth Brooks: The Ultimate Hits." This album contains 3-discs featuring 30 classics, three new songs and a bonus track on two audio CDs.

To learn more, visit http://www.komen.org/garth.

As we roll into the latter half of 2007, the Breast Cancer 3-Day is still going strong, with our next race in Michigan from September 28-20. Here is a list of upcoming cities:

*Registration for the Philadelphia race is still open if you want to sign up your crew and get out there!

Net proceeds from the Breast Cancer 3-Days benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to fund breast cancer research and community outreach, as well as the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, to provide an endowment for breast cancer initiatives.