The stamp depicts Diana, the huntress and goddess of fertility, reaching behind her head to pull an arrow from her quiver to fend off an enemy, in this case, breast cancer. The image reflects the same position that a woman assumes for a breast self-exam and mammography.Breast Cancer Research Stamp
To date, the stamp has raised nearly $87.4 million for breast cancer research. By law, 70 percent of the net amount raised is given to the National Institutes of Health and 30 percent is given to the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense.
Designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD, the stamp features the phrases, "Fund the Fight" and "Find a Cure" and an illustration of a mythical "goddess of the hunt" by Whitney Sherman of Baltimore.
Breast Cancer Research Stamp Update
On September 30th, 2014 on the West Steps of the California State Capital in downtown Sacramento, history repeated itself when Sacramento became the only city in the county to re-issue the stamp in a First-Day of Issue ceremony.
This national event featured Dr. Ernie Bodai and Sacramento District Manager, Dr. Barbara Plunkett as they unveil the re-issued Breast Cancer Research Stamp. Sacramento is the only city in the country to be able to sell this newly re-issued semi-postal stamp on this day.
This year the US Postal Service, Sacramento District has put a campaign in gear by decorating two postal vehicles in pink and making stops at various stops in the Sacramento postal district to promote the sale of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp. The goal is to create awareness and to be the first in the country to sell the billionth stamp.
Facts
Issued on July 29, 1998
Was the first fundraising (semi-postal) stamp in the US history
950+ Million sold
$80 Million raised
6 cents of the proceeds go to fight breast cancer