The Postal Service is marking the 20th anniversary of the Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp.
USPS issued the stamp in 1998. Since then, more than 1 billion stamps have been sold, raising more than $87.8 million for breast cancer research.
“The Postal Service is proud to offer the Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp, which allows the American public to help raise funds to assist in finding a cure,” said Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan.
The Breast Cancer Research stamp, the first semipostal stamp in U.S. history, is available year-round at Post Offices and usps.com.
In 1997, Congress authorized the stamp to raise funds from the public for breast cancer research. In 2015, the law authorizing the sale of the stamp was extended through Dec. 31, 2019.
The amount USPS contributes to breast cancer research is determined by the difference between the 65-cent purchase price and the First-Class Mail rate in effect at the time of purchase, minus any costs incurred by the Postal Service.
The distribution of the USPS contribution is specified by law, with 70 percent given to the National Institutes of Health and 30 percent given to the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense.
The stamp features the phrases “Fund the Fight” and “Find a Cure” and an illustration of a mythical goddess of the hunt.
USPS employees say they are proud to help promote the stamp to their customers.
“Everyone has a breast cancer story to tell,” said Rutherford, NC, Postmaster Tammy Edwards. “Stamp sales help fund the research that puts us closer to the cure.”