Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, Finance and Administration Secretary Lori Flanery, State Auditor Crit Luallen and University of Kentucky First Lady Mary Lynne Capilouto, joined Riley, Beshear and Jenkins to ask Kentucky taxpayers to check a box on their state income tax forms as an easy way to contribute to breast cancer research.
“Until we find a cure for breast cancer, we must keep working to raise funds for research, education and awareness,” said Beshear, a longtime advocate of research, prevention and early detection efforts for breast cancer. “This disease does not discriminate. By encouraging Kentuckians to take a second to check the box on their tax returns, we will be one step closer to preventing and curing this terrible disease.”
In 2005, the Kentucky General Assembly established the creation of the Breast Cancer Research and Education Trust Fund within the division of Women’s Health in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The trust fund supports breast cancer research, education, treatment, screening and awareness efforts by awarding competitive grants to organizations providing breast cancer programs and services. About $300,000 has been contributed to the fund through the state income tax check-off since it began seven years ago.
According to the Kentucky Revenue Cabinet, about 1.8 million Kentuckians file state income tax returns each year, and if even one half of those donated $10 to the fund each year, $9.1 million could be raised.