Taxpayers Donate Refunds To Fight Breast Cancer

HARTFORD — Connecticut taxpayers donated more than $105,000 from last year’s tax refunds to help in the fight against breast cancer, Lt Governor M. Jodi Rell reported this week.

Lt Governor Rell led the campaign by asking taxpayers to contribute a portion of their 1999 state income tax refunds to breast cancer research and education.

“I’d like to personally thank the 14,462 Connecticut taxpayers who made contributions so that the race for the cure for breast cancer continues to be run,” Lt Governor Rell said. “Through a voluntary check-off box on the state income tax form, taxpayers donated $105,728.34, demonstrating once again not only the generosity of Connecticut’s taxpayers, but their desire to find a cure for this disease.”

“The 1999 figures represent an increase of nearly $24,000 over the 1998 figures. Those dollars also represent an increased awareness for the need for breast cancer awareness, education, research and early detection,” Lt Governor Rell said.

During the calendar year 1998, or tax year 1997, Connecticut taxpayers contributed $82,034.41 to the fund.

Funds collected through the tax returns have been deposited into the Breast Cancer Research and Education Fund, established by the legislature in 1997. Monies raised are used for breast cancer-related outreach, education, research, counseling and community service programs.

“Now is the time for Connecticut residents to begin calculating their taxes for 1999 and I would urge all taxpayers to please consider making a donation through their Connecticut income tax forms. April 15 may be three months away, but it is not too early to start considering a contribution to this very worthy fund,”  Lt. Governor Rell said. “With nearly a million filers receiving refunds, we have a unique opportunity to raise a significant amount of money for breast cancer research and education.”

This year, approximately 1.4 million Connecticut residents will file income tax returns. Of those, about 800,000 will receive a refund, according to the state Department of Revenue Services.

According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.  Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women in the United States. In Connecticut, it is estimated that 2,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and about 480 will die from the disease.