SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois taxpayers have the opportunity to contribute to special research funds for Alzheimer's disease, breast and cervical cancer and prostate cancer when filing their 2002 Illinois income tax returns.

"Over the years, Illinois taxpayers have donated generously to these funds," said Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director. "I urge Illinoisans to continue to support these worthy causes. With each dollar donated, we're a step closer to finding cures or better ways to treat these diseases."

Money contributed to the Alzheimer's Disease Research Fund is used to find a cause, cure and more effective ways to diagnose and to treat this debilitating disease, which afflicts about 210,000 people in Illinois. Victims of this age-related form of dementia suffer a progressive loss of memory, attention span and the ability to learn. Since the fund first appeared on the 1985 state tax form, taxpayers have contributed more than $2.5 million to support 111 research projects.

Donations to the Penny Severns Breast and Cervical Research Fund are used to advance the understanding and techniques effective in early detection, prevention and treatment. One out of every eight American women will develop breast cancer during her life. More than 46,000 women in the United States will die this year from the disease – 2,200 of them from Illinois. In addition, an average of 700 women in Illinois learn they have invasive cervical cancer each year and more than 200 women die annually from the disease. Since the fund first appeared on the 1993 state tax form, nearly $1.6 million has been donated to help fund 75 research projects.

Money given to the Prostate Cancer Research Fund is used for research into the cause and treatment of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in American men and claims the lives of an estimated 28,900 men each year – 1,300 in Illinois. Nearly $348,800 has been donated to the fund since it first appeared on the 1999 state tax form.

Taxpayers can donate $1 or more to the Alzheimer's disease fund (line 28c of their 2002 IL-1040 state income tax return), the breast and cervical cancer fund (line 28e on the IL-1040 form) or the prostate cancer fund (line 28f on the IL-1040 form). Donations may be made to more than one fund. The amount pledged will either decrease the amount of a refund or increase the amount due. All donations are tax deductible.

A fund must generate a minimum of $100,000 each year in order to appear on the next year's tax form.

Direct contributions also may be made to the Department's funds by sending a check, payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health, to P.O. Box 4263, Springfield, IL 62708. Clearly mark the designated fund on the check.