The race to find a cure for breast cancer is everyone's concern.  There are few of us who have not been touched, either directly, or indirectly through our loved ones, by the fears, the sorrows, and the challenges one encounters with breast cancer.

Many unanswered questions face doctors and scientists about the cause, the most effective treatment, and ways to prevent breast cancer.  The recent progress in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer gives hope.  However, more work needs to be done and funds for breast cancer research are essential to making progress against the disease.  Clearly, this is a battle for us all and we are all committed to join in the fight.

In an effort to raise public awareness and give energy to the pressing fight to find the cure, the United States Postal Service is releasing the nation's first semipostal stamp.  This striking, stylized stamp image draws on Diana, Goddess of the Hunt, a mythological icon of strength and independence who overcomes the perils of the world.  The stamp, designed by Ethel Kessler, brings a personal understanding of the complex and sensitive nature surrounding breast cancer's prevention and cure.  Her collaboration with Whitney Sherman of Baltimore, Maryland, yielded the dramatic original illustration and the stamp's bold, direct call for action.

With the sale of every breast cancer awareness semipostal stamp, we are directly supporting the fight to find a cure.  Net proceeds from the amount over the First-Class postage rate are directly committed to funding breast cancer research at the National Institutes of Health and the Medical Research Program of the Department of Defense.

In 1997, Congress enacted legislation directing that a "semipostal" stamp be issued to help fund breast cancer research.  Costing 40 cents but valid for postage at the 32-cent first-class rate, the 200 million Breast Cancer Research stamps will serve this important purpose.  Of the stamps' net proceeds, 70 percent will go to the National Institutes of Health and 30 percent to the Depart of Defense.

Millions of Americans' lives have been affected by breast cancer.  People have lost mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters to the disease.  In the United States alone, about 2 million women are currently fighting breast cancer.  Women in all the nation's major ethnic groups have struggled with the disease.

Early detection and treatment help improve survival rates significantly.  According to experts, when breast cancer is diagnosed early, in stages I and II, 95 percent of women are still alive after five years.  Early diagnosis also improves women's options for breast conserving surgery.

A breast cancer survivor herself, designer Ethel Kessler wanted the image on the stamp to capture the true heroism of a woman battling breast cancer.  Assisted by illustrator Whitney Sherman of Baltimore, Maryland, Kessler arrived at the final design: a black line drawing of a woman suggesting a classical goddess of the hunt.  The words "Fund the fight. Find a cure." flow clockwise in a circle where the figure's right breast would be.

The Breast Cancer Research stamp was issued on July 29, 1998, in Washington, D.C.

When Designer Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland, set out to create this Breast Cancer Research stamp, she realized that it had to be both visually appealing and meaningful.  As a cancer survivor, Kessler wanted the art to honor and inspire women battling breast cancer.  She also wanted the stamp to help others better understand the disease.

Along with the help of illustrator Whitney Sherman of Baltimore, Maryland, the colors of blue, yellow, orange and green wash through a black-outlined figure of a woman resembling a classical goddess of hunting.  Circling the area where the figure's right breast once was, are the words "Fund the fight. Find a cure."

As a "semipostal" stamp, it costs 40 cents and is valid for postage in the amount of the prevailing 32-cent First-Class letter rate.  Seventy percent of the net proceeds above the cost of postage will be given to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and 30 percent of net proceeds above the cost of postage will be given to the Medical Research Program of the Department of Defense (DoD).

As Kessler put it, "This stamp's mission, fund the fight and find a cure, is a very real one."

In 1996, the U.S. Postal Service issued its Breast Cancer Awareness stamp.  This year, the Postal Service rejoins the campaign against this disease:  Its 40-cent Breast Cancer Research stamp will be the first U.S. stamp to have its net proceeds above the cost of postage earmarked for research organizations.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will receive 70 percent of those net proceeds, and the Medical Research Program of the Department of Defense (DoD) will receive the remaining 30 percent.  Both organizations sponsor important research to advance the battle against breast cancer.

Early detection and prevention programs have helped improve survival rates, but breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States.  It is hoped that this stamp's proceeds, along with donations from other sources, will help scientists save millions more women's lives.

Each stamp is valid for postage at the current First-Class rate.  Net proceeds from the extra money you paid over the First-Class postage rate go directly to fund Breast Cancer research at the National Institutes of Health and the Medical Research Program of the Department of Defense.  For information on breast cancer, call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service 1-800-4CANCER