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Senator Bruno with Prostate Cancer Foundation founder Michael Milken at today's roundtable meeting in Albany. |
New Prostate Cancer Tax Check-off Would Be Matched by Private Foundation
Monday, February 23, 2004
Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno today announced that the Senate approved legislation to create a new not-for-profit board, the New York State Coalition to Cure Prostate Cancer, to help coordinate and oversee prostate cancer research, detection and education efforts in New York State.
The board would be financed through a new check-off on state income tax forms which will be matched by funds from the Prostate Cancer Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation chaired by philanthropist and financier, Michael Milken.
Legislation to create a prostate cancer check-off has been advanced in the Senate by New York State Senator James S. Alesi, cosponsor of the new legislation. Funds from a check-off and the need for better coordination, research and education efforts by a new not-for-profit board are the first steps in meeting the concerns raised by the New York State Roundtable on Prostate Cancer, a meeting of the state�s leading cancer experts co-hosted by Senator Bruno and Prostate Cancer Foundation founder Michael Milken.
"Today�s roundtable helped bring together leading cancer research experts to discuss how we in New York State can harness the efforts, energies and resources of the medical and research community and other organizations in an effort to help prevent prostate cancer, which kills tens of thousands of Americans every year," said Senator Bruno. "All New Yorkers owe a debt of gratitude to Michael Milken for his dedication to this effort and his commitment to help us establish this new not-for-profit board and finance its mission."
"One of every six American men will face prostate cancer," said Mr. Milken. "In New York State alone, more than 14,000 men will be diagnosed this year and nearly 2,300 will die. It�s time to step up our efforts against this killer by providing increased support for the outstanding medical researchers here in New York."
"Senator Bruno has once again demonstrated his great leadership by bringing this important health care legislation to the forefront," stated Senator Alesi. "This is a victory for prostate cancer patients and research and a landmark for health care in New York State. I feel personally gratified that my legislation helped us arrive at the point where funds will be available for this most important cause."
Under the legislation, the New York State Coalition to Cure Prostate Cancer will be funded through tax return check-off donations to the New York State Prostate Cancer Research, Detection and Education Fund. The tax return donation option will be available on individual and corporate tax returns beginning with the 2004 tax year. The legislation has been sent to the Assembly.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation�s commitment to match every dollar donated through the tax return check-off represents the first time that matching private funds will be used to finance this type of effort. Michael Milken�s efforts to support a broad range of medical research and education began in the 1970s. In 1982, he founded the Milken Family Foundation to support research on breast cancer, pediatric neurology, AIDS and other diseases. Last year he launched the Center for Accelerating Medical Solutions.
Senator Bruno said that the work of the new not-for-profit board and efforts to generate new funding for prostate cancer research would work in tandem with existing cancer prevention programs. "We will continue to meet and work together toward coordinating research efforts, promoting cutting edge technology and removing barriers to treatment, and I am confident that we will make advances in preventing prostate cancer that will have applications for preventing and treating cancer in any form," added Senator Bruno.
Participants at the New York State Roundtable on Prostate Cancer included: Dr. Edward Messing, Professor and Chairman, Department of Urology, University of Rochester School of Medicine; Dr. Mitchell Benson, Columbia University; Dr. James Mohler, Chair, Department of Urologic Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute; Dr. Paulette McCormick, Director, New York State Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics, SUNY Albany; Dr. Arun Puranik, Medical Director, Radiation Oncology, Samaritan Hospital; Dr. David Hohn, CEO, Roswell Park Cancer Institute; Dr. Paul Okunieff, Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester; Calvin Martin, American Cancer Society; Dr. Howard Soule, Chief Science Officer, Prostate Cancer Foundation; Leslie Michelson, Vice Chair & CEO, Prostate Cancer Foundation; and Dr. David Nanus, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell University.
Invited guests included representatives from every facet of the state�s health care community, including state and local officials, hospitals, doctors, researchers, educators, insurers, patient advocates and others.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation is dedicated to finding better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer. Since its inception in 1993, the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) has become the world�s largest philanthropic source of support for prostate cancer research. Further information is available at www.prostatecancerfoundation.org.
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