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California's seven Affiliates of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation have, for the first time, joined forces to support a critical ballot initiative. The Affiliates are backing Proposition 86, the Tobacco Tax Act of 2006, which will raise approximately $90 million annually to fight breast cancer and $2.1 billion total to improve health care. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is the world's largest private funder of breast cancer research. Together, Komen's seven California Affiliates contribute more than $4.34 million to California organizations fighting the disease. "Over 21,000 California women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year," said Katie Parker, Community Outreach Director for Komen in San Diego. "More than 4,000 will die from the disease. California Komen Affiliates recognize that passing Proposition 86 is key to reducing the devastating impact of breast cancer on women and families in our state." Proposition 86, the Tobacco Tax Act of 2006, will appear on the November 2006 ballot. The initiative would raise the tax on cigarettes by $2.60 per pack, with an equivalent amount on other tobacco products. The approximately $90 million raised annually to fight breast cancer would supplement ongoing state, federal and private efforts now in place. The new revenues would more than triple funding for state breast cancer early detection efforts, and more than double funding for state breast cancer research. "The women of California desperately need the new dollars that Proposition 86 would bring to the search for a cure and to reducing deaths from breast cancer," said Parker. "This measure will make California a national leader in state investment in the fight against breast cancer." The initiative would direct approximately $65 million per year to a Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Account. These funds would go to the Department of Health Services, "to be used solely for breast and cervical cancer prevention and early detection services that result in the reduction of breast and cervical morbidity and mortality in California." The initiative language further states that the "services will include in addition to early detection clinical services, quality assurance and improvement, patient and provider education, community outreach, and evaluation." Funding will help screen low-income and uninsured California women, many of whom are from minority and medically underserved populations. Current funding levels allow the state to screen less than 20 percent of eligible low-income uninsured women. With the additional revenue the state could potentially screen over half of the eligible population. Approximately $25 million annually from the new tobacco tax revenue would be dedicated to the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP) operated by the University of California, Office of the President. The CBCRP has an established and international reputation for the highest quality research standards, and it has championed the inclusion of advocates in all phases of the funding process. Additional funding is needed to support innovative, developmental and exploratory grants; to support translational research; community research collaboration grants; and to explore the relationship between breast cancer and the environment, disparities in the burden of breast cancer, and defining the influence of lifestyle on breast cancer. This new funding will enable the CBCRP to more effectively meet breast cancer research needs in California. Demand from California researchers far exceeds the program's current funding capacity. Current funding is approximately $14.9 million. In order to support the Proposition 86 campaign, the Califorrnia Komen Affiliates will be mobilizing thousands of state "eChampions" -- Komen's online advocates who take action on breast cancer policy issues through http://www.ActNowEndBreastCancer.org. In addition to recruiting eChampions to volunteer on the campaign and promoting the initiative at local Races for the Cure(R), the Affiliates will be disseminating a radio news feature with actress Patricia Arquette of the popular television program, "Medium." The recordings will also be produced in Spanish for broadcast on Spanish-language radio stations statewide.
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The California Affiliates of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer www.ActNowEndBreastCancer.org/
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