Pay State Income Taxes, Fund Breast Cancer Research

HARTFORD — Connecticut residents can join the fight against breast cancer by simply filing their state income tax returns, Lt Governor M. Jodi Rell said.

“With a new tax filing season now upon us, Connecticut taxpayers have the opportunity to join the race for a cure for this disease. I urge all residents to please consider making a donation to the Breast Cancer Research & Education fund through their state income tax form,” Lt Governor Rell said.

“As Connecticut taxpayers filed their income taxes in 2003, 10,822 of them contributed $88,893 to the Breast Cancer Research and Education Fund through the voluntary check-off box on the state income tax form,” she explained.

In 1997, the General Assembly established the Breast Cancer Research and Education Fund, and residents have made $572,140 in contributions through their tax returns since then. The monies raised are used for breast cancer-related outreach, education, research, counseling, and community service programs.

“I am extremely pleased and encouraged by the number of taxpayers donating to this fund. By collecting more than a half million dollars for breast cancer research over the past six years, residents have clearly recognized the need for breast cancer awareness, education, research, and early detection,” Lt Governor Rell said.

This year, approximately 1.6 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.