ATLANTA – State Representative Barbara Massey Reece (D-Menlo), the Georgia Cancer Coalition, and cancer survivors held a press conference today at the Georgia State Capitol to encourage Georgians to “choose an amount, and make it count” by participating in the state’s voluntary state income tax check-off program for cancer research.
“I am honored to join these brave survivors in raising awareness for cancer research and prevention,” said Rep. Reece. “Their stories are an inspiration to all and a reminder of the need for generous donors who contribute to the Georgia Cancer Coalition.”
The voluntary state income tax check-off program allows anyone filing a Georgia Income Tax Return Form, or preparing their state taxes using tax preparation software, to make a contribution to the Georgia Cancer Coalition by simply writing in a contribution of $1 or more on the Georgia Cancer Research Fund line. The amount donated will either reduce their refund or increase their payment. This donation is tax deductable and is matched dollar-for-dollar by research facilities in Georgia.
Georgia’s voluntary state income tax check-off program has allowed donors to contribute a total of $3 million towards cancer research and prevention projects in Georgia. To date, a total of 71 projects in the state have received research grants funded by the check-off program. These grants, which range in amounts from $30,000 to $50,000, are distributed by the Georgia Cancer Coalition and cannot be utilized outside of Georgia.
The qualifications for these state grants follow those of federal research grants. This coordination allows cancer programs in Georgia to receive much needed funding for small pilot programs from the Georgia Cancer Coalition, the results of which can then be used to apply for increased funding from federal and national grants. As a result of this proven system, Georgia research projects have received over $12 million in federal grants.
“A recent study released by the American Cancer Society shows that the cancer death rate in the U.S. has decreased by 23 percent for men and 15 percent for women since 1990. This is encouraging and shows that effective prevention programs and advanced research and treatment can save lives,” added Rep. Reece. “I urge all Georgians to make generous donations during this tax season. Together we can find a cure for cancer.”
The American Cancer Society projects that half of all men and a third of women will develop some form of cancer in their life. Almost 37,000 Georgians will be diagnosed this year. To combat this epidemic, the voluntary state income tax check-off program was implemented through legislation in 2000, which targeted breast cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer research. In 2009 legislation was passed to open the fund to all forms of cancer research and prevention.
For more information on the Georgia Income Tax Check Off program and how the funds are used by the Georgia Cancer Coalition, please click here.
Representative Barbara Massey Reece represents the citizens of District 11, which includes Chattooga County, as well as portions of Floyd County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 1998, and currently serves on the Education, Reapportionment, Science & Technology, and State Institutions & Property committees.
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