Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, and 19 Chicago-area Ticket for the Cure community grant recipients at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Gov. Blagojevich announces $2 million in Ticket for the Cure grants for breast cancer education and support services
New Ticket for the Cure game unveiled
CHICAGO, Ill – Officials from Governor Rod R. Blagojevich’s Administration today announced $2 million in Ticket for the Cure grants to 41 Illinois organizations for breast cancer education efforts and to help provide supportive services for breast cancer victims and their families. On behalf of the Governor, Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, Illinois Department of Public Health Director, announced the grants which include a $40,000 grant to Mount Sinai Medical Center for its program, “Women to Women, Taking Care of Yourself, Taking Care of Each Other.”
In 2005, Gov. Blagojevich signed a law initiated by state Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) and state Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) to create the Ticket for the Cure. Launched in January 2006, Ticket for the Cure is the nation’s first lottery ticket dedicated to helping fund breast cancer early detection, education, research, and patient services throughout the state.
“Early detection is fundamental in the fight against breast cancer. Ticket for the Cure is not only raising awareness about this disease, it is also raising money to educate women about the importance of early detection and the need for routine mammograms and breast exams. I want to thank the people of Illinois for the success of Ticket for the Cure and for the money it has generated to help fight breast cancer,” said the Governor.
More than 100 not-for-profit institutions and organizations applied for Ticket for the Cure community grants to fund education and supportive services. Forty-one grants were awarded ranging from $10,000 to $85,000 during a press conference held today at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
“We received many impressive applications detailing programs aimed at increasing early detection awareness, educating women, offering support services and improving the effectiveness of mammography screening” said Dr. Whitaker. “I want to encourage people to continue to play the lottery game Ticket for the Cure because of all of the educational and life saving programs funded through ticket sales.”
“We are very pleased that the Illinois Department of Public Health has selected Mount Sinai Medical Center as a recipient of funding for women’s cancer services,” said Alan Channing, CEO Sinai Health System. “The funds will allow us to provide education, screening and diagnostic services to more women in the North and South Lawndale areas. These neighborhoods, comprised respectively of African American and Hispanic women, potentially experience a 28 percent higher mortality rate from breast cancer than other areas although the women who live there are less likely to be diagnosed with breast disease. When you do not have detection, preferably early detection, you cannot be treated. Early detection is very important.”
One hundred percent of the proceeds from Ticket for the Cure support programs and research initiatives to help diagnose and treat breast cancer. So far, the ticket has raised more than $3 million. Two million dollars is going to community grants, the remaining money will be used for research grants which will be announced this summer.
Also today, the Illinois Lottery unveiled the third Ticket for the Cure instant ticket called “Tic-Tac-Cash” to be available on March 5. This new version of the game will not only keep pace with player demand, but will also increase sales and drive vital contributions to continue funding education, support services and breast cancer research.
“Purchasing a Ticket for the Cure ticket is the perfect way to have fun and join in the fight against breast cancer at the same time,” said Illinois Lottery Superintendent Carolyn Adams. “We’re encouraging everyone over the age of 18 to continue to support this important cause.”
Net revenue from the sale of Ticket for the Cure is deposited into an interest bearing account in the State Treasury called the Ticket for the Cure Fund. The Illinois General Assembly appropriates this money solely to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), which awards grants to public and private entities in Illinois. The Ticket for the Cure Board, a special advisory board, reviews and approves all grants funded by Ticket for the Cure revenue.
“Ticket For The Cure” has made it possible for Illinois community organizations to receive grants that will increase awareness about the risks of breast cancer and knowledge of options available to manage breast cancer,” said Leonard Thomas, Chair of the Ticket for the Cure Board. “As a breast cancer husband, I know first hand how peer support and knowledge of this disease and its treatment options, empowers the survivor and family. “
The Ticket for the Cure Board in conjunction with IDPH set parameters for governing the number and size of grants awarded based upon the amount of money generated each year through the sale of tickets.
For more information on the Ticket for the Cure please visit www.illinoislottery.com.
Women can find out how to get breast and cervical cancer screenings and treatment through Governor Blagojevich’s Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program by logging on to www.cancerscreening.illinois.gov. For more information on women’s health and programs click on Women's Health or call the Women’s Health Line at 888-522-1282. For TTY (hearing impaired use only) call 800-547-0466.
Illinois Department of Public Health
Office of Women’s Health
Ticket for the Cure – Community Grant Program
Organization |
City |
Amount Funded |
Advocate Health & Hospital Corp. |
Oak Brook |
30,000 |
Alliance for Community Peace |
Chicago |
60,000 |
Arab-American Family Services |
Chicago |
50,000 |
Asian Human Services, Inc. |
Chicago |
45,000 |
U of I Extension – Jefferson Co. |
Mt. Vernon |
36,000 |
U of I Extension – Cook Co. |
Matteson |
20,000 |
Bureau/Putnam CHD |
Princeton |
25,000 |
City Lights Community Outreach Corp |
Chicago |
40,000 |
Coles CHD |
Mattoon |
25,000 |
Decatur Memorial Hospital |
Decatur |
70,000 |
Egyptian Health Department |
Eldorado |
75,000 |
GDT Academy, Inc. |
Chicago |
60,000 |
Hamdard Center for Health & Human Services |
Chicago |
50,000 |
Illinois Migrant Council |
Chicago |
70,000 |
Jasper CHD |
Newton |
14,000 |
Korean American Comm. Services |
Chicago |
50,000 |
Lake CHD |
Waukegan |
60,000 |
Livingston CHD |
Pontiac |
40,000 |
Logan CHD |
Lincoln |
60,000 |
McDonough CHD |
Macomb |
17,000 |
McLean CHD |
Bloomington |
32,000 |
Menard CHD |
Petersburg |
10,000 |
Mercer CHD |
Aledo |
18,000 |
Mercer County Hospital |
Aledo |
18,000 |
Mt. Sinai Hospital Medical Center |
Chicago |
40,000 |
Northwestern Memorial Hospital |
Chicago |
85,000 |
OSF St. Francis Medical Center |
Peoria |
60,000 |
Provena Health |
Chicago |
80,000 |
Rehab Institute of Chicago, Women w/Disabilities |
Chicago |
80,000 |
Michael Reese Hospital |
Chicago |
50,000 |
Richland Memorial Hospital |
Olney |
70,000 |
Salem Township Hospital |
Salem |
40,000 |
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center |
Mattoon |
60,000 |
Silver Cross Hospital |
Joliet |
25,000 |
St. Clair CHD |
Belleville |
75,000 |
St. Mary's Hosp/Little Egypt BCCP |
Centralia |
85,000 |
Stephenson CHD |
Freeport |
70,000 |
Tazewell CHD |
Tremont |
75,000 |
VNA of Fox Valley |
Aurora |
50,000 |
White Crane Wellness Center |
Chicago |
40,000 |
Whiteside CHD |
Morrison |
40,000 |
CHD – County Health Department