Breast Cancer Research stamp sales still going strong

Historic postage stamp turning 10

Here’s a quick postal quiz. What do the numbers 1, 10, 62.5 million and 823.7 million have in common?

They all relate to the astonishing success of the Breast Cancer Research stamp.

According to Michelle Saracusa, acting marketing manager for the Massachusetts Postal District, the Breast Cancer Research stamp was the first semi-postal stamp ever authorized by Congress for the specific purpose of raising funds from the American public to assist in finding a cure for breast cancer.

It will celebrate its 10th birthday on July 29, and in those 10 years has raised more than $62.5 million for cancer research through the sale of more than 823.7 million stamps.

“That’s incredible,” she said. “Think of the impact this tiny work of art has had not only on bringing awareness to breast cancer, but in helping to help find a cure for this dreaded disease.”

A pane of 20 BCR stamps costs $11.

“This unique semipostal stamp has a dual purpose,” she said, explaining that not only does it represent the First-Class postage rate in effect at the time of purchase, “but the cost over and above this rate goes directly into breast cancer research.”

According to statistics, nearly 185,000 women and 1,400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and nearly 46,000 of those will die from the disease.

The BCR stamp features artwork of a mythical “goddess of the hunt” by Whitney Sherman of Baltimore.

To support the fight against breast cancer, she said, persons can visit their Post Office, call 1-800-STAMP-24 (800-782-6724), or go to www.usps.com and click on Buy Stamps and Shop.