State public health director awards Ticket for the Cure checks for breast cancer education and support services

 Six Southern Illinois organizations receive a total of $320,000 from sale of special lottery ticket

MT. VERNON, Ill. – In an effort to help fight the on-going battle against breast cancer, Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, today presented Ticket for the Cure checks totaling $320,000 to six southern Illinois organizations for breast cancer education efforts and to help provide supportive services for breast cancer victims and their families. The six grants are among 41 given to organizations statewide and include a $36,000 grant to the University of Illinois Extension Jefferson County Unit to provide workshops and conduct an outreach media campaign targeting women who are elderly, low income and/or African American.

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.

“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 Dr. Whitaker. “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. We have been able to give $2 million to 41 communities statewide this year and hope we can continue to fight breast cancer through community support of Ticket for the Cure.”

“The Ticket for the Cure Community Breast Cancer Grant will enhance University of Illinois Extension, Jefferson County’s ability to provide health and wellness education for the residents of Jefferson County and surrounding communities,” said University of Illinois Extension Jefferson County Director Myrtle De Loach. “Extension will work in partnership with community organizations to promote breast health for women through education, early detection and lifestyle changes.”

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 gave away free Ticket for the Cure instant tickets called “Tic-Tac-Cash.” This is the third design for the Ticket for the Cure game and was unveiled earlier this month. 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.

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.

“As a breast cancer survivor, I know first hand that knowledge is power. Just 13-years ago I knew nothing about breast cancer nor did it ever enter my mind. No one talked about breast cancer. Ticket for the Cure is making it possible for Illinois community organizations to receive grants which will allow the opportunity to increase awareness about the risks of breast cancer, share the importance of early detection and prevention and convey the knowledge to empower those who are diagnosed with the disease to maximize their options,” said Ticket for the Cure Advisory Board Member Ann Shaver. “Thank you for purchasing the Ticket for the Cure.  Spread the word. Tell all your friends to buy the ticket, give it as a gift, send one in a card to encourage a friend or loved one to join the fight against breast cancer. If you don’t see it in a machine or on a counter, ask for it. The more tickets we sell the more grants we can award.”

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 visit http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/womenshealth/owh.htm 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