Washington - Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced bipartisan legislation today to reauthorize the Breast Cancer Research Stamp for two more years, through the end of 2007. The stamp, first authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1998, will expire at the end of 2005 without this legislation.

“I introduced this legislation for one reason: to save lives,” said Rep. Baca. “This year more than 200,000 men and women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die from the disease.”

The Breast Cancer Research Stamp is a semi postal stamp, costing 45 cents. By law, 70% of the proceeds are given to the National Institutes of Health and 30% are given to the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense.

To date, over 564 million stamps have been sold and over $40 million raised. The stamp was created by Sacramento oncologist Dr. Ernie Bodai.

“Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in every major ethnic group in the United States. It does not discriminate. Everyone is at risk,” said Rep. Baca.

More than two million women are living with breast cancer in America, and one million have not yet been diagnosed. It is the number one cancer killer of women between 15 and 54.

“The Breast Cancer Research Stamp not only helps research, but it helps raise awareness as well,” said Rep. Baca. “The customer purchases the stamp, a carrier delivers it, and a person receives it. That’s three people who have seen the message saying ‘breast cancer needs to be stamped out.’ Each time we use the stamp not only do we raise funds for research, but we send a message of hope that we will find a cure.”

Rep. Baca introduced H.R. 1385 in the 108th Congress to prevent the stamp from expiring in 2003. He has been involved with the issue since he was a member of the California State Legislature. Senator Diane Feinstein has also introduced legislation to extend the stamp through 2007.

“I am pleased to be working with Senator Feinstein to reauthorize the breast cancer research stamp,” said Rep. Baca. “Together we can bring new hope and promise to ending this horrible disease.”