SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Public Health has awarded $525,000 from the Penny Severns Breast and Cervical Cancer Fund to 10 Illinois researchers who are investigating the cause, prevention and treatment of breast and cervical cancer.

"With the help of voluntary contributions from taxpayers, Illinois has been able to take an aggressive role in the fight against breast and cervical cancer," said Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director. "Through the awarding of these research dollars, some of the leading researchers in the country will be working on ways to improve breast and cervical cancer outcomes for all women."

The special fund was established in 1994 and renamed in 1999 to honor the late state Sen. Penny Severns of Decatur, who died from breast cancer. The fund averages $250,000 a year in taxpayer contributions and receives an annual appropriation of $250,000 in general revenue funds.

"Nearly everyone has a story to tell about a loved one who has suffered from breast or cervical cancer," Dr. Whitaker said. "In fact, in our state each year more than 10,000 individuals, mostly women, will be diagnosed with breast cancer and about 750 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. Our goals are to reduce those numbers, improve screening and treatment options, and help find a cure."

Following is a list of this year's grant recipients and amounts:

• Laimonis A. Laimins, Northwestern University, Chicago, "Role of E1-E4 Proteins in the pathogenesis of human papillmavirus," $75,000
• William W. Baldyga, Dr. PH, University of Illinois at Chicago, "Preventing Breast and Cervical Cancer: Awareness and Education for Latinas," $50,000
• Caroline Le Poole, Ph.D, Loyola University at Chicago, "Dendrite cell mediated killing of cervical cancer cells," $75,000
• Andrea Doughty, Ph.D, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, "Use of New Cervical Cancer Guidelines by Illinois Primary Screeners," $25,000
• John C. Roeske, University of Chicago, "Implementation of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Breast Cancer," $60,000
• Robert Wayne Chesnut, Eastern Illinois University, "Synthetic Methods for Preparing Plantinated Estrogens," $20,000
• Guoxing Zheng, University of Illinois at Rockford, "T-Cell Therapeutics for Breast Cancer," $75,000
• Edward P. Cohen, M.D., University of Illinois at Chicago, "Chemo/Immunotherapy of Breast Cancer," $75,000
• Ozlem Yildez, Ph.D, University of Chicago, "Structure-function analysis of the breast cancer susceptibility protein BRCA1," $35,000
• Linghu Nie, University of Chicago, "Regulated Stability and Activity of p73," $35,000

Contributions to Illinois' voluntary income tax funds must generate a minimum of $100,000 each year in order to appear on the next year's tax form. As of August, nearly 20,000 Illinois taxpayers had donated more than $220,000 to the Penny Severns Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Fund this year, ensuring that for the 11th consecutive year the fund will appear on next year's Illinois tax forms.

Direct contributions may be made to the fund by sending a check made out to the Illinois Department of Public Health to P.O. Box 4263, Springfield, IL 62708. The check should be clearly marked to designate it for the Penny Severns Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Fund.