State Public Health Director Urges Donations to Special Disease Research Funds

2007 Illinois Tax Checkoffs Include Alzheimer's; Breast, Cervical and Ovarian Cancer; Lung Cancer; and Autoimmune Disease

[March 05, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- When filing their individual state income tax returns for 2007, Illinois taxpayers have the opportunity to contribute to special research funds for Alzheimer's disease; breast, cervical and ovarian cancer; lung cancer; and autoimmune disease.

"By contributing to these funds, Illinoisans can support research that can help lead to better treatments and possible cures," said Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director. "Illinois taxpayers have shown their generosity to help fight some of these diseases over the years, and I urge them to continue their support."

Money contributed to the Alzheimer's Disease Research Fund is used to find a cause, cure and more effective ways to diagnose and treat this debilitating disease, which afflicts about 211,000 people in Illinois. Victims of this age-related form of dementia suffer a progressive loss of memory, attention span and the ability to learn. Since the fund first appeared on the 1985 state 1040 tax form, taxpayers have contributed more than $3.2 million to support 147 research projects. Alzheimer's disease is the fifth-leading cause of death in Illinois for people 65 and older.

The Penny Severns Breast, Cervical and Ovarian Cancer Research Fund was established in 1994 and later renamed to honor the late state Sen. Penny Severns of Decatur, who died from breast cancer. The fund is used for breast, cervical and ovarian cancer grants to hospitals, laboratories, education institutions and other organizations to advance the understanding and techniques effective in early detection, prevention and treatment. One out of every eight American women will develop breast cancer during her life. It is estimated that almost 9,000 women in Illinois will be diagnosed with either breast or cervical cancer this year, and approximately 1,700 will die from one of the diseases. Since the fund first appeared on the 1993 state tax form, $2.8 million has been donated to help fund 136 research projects.

For the 2007 Illinois individual tax form, there are two new tax checkoffs overseen by the Illinois Department of Public Health: the Lung Cancer Research Fund and the Autoimmune Disease Research Fund. Both funds will allow the department to grant money to public and private entities in Illinois for lung cancer research and research for the treatment and cure of autoimmune diseases.

Taxpayers can donate to more than one fund on the 2007 Illinois individual 1040 tax form. The amount contributed will either be deducted from the individual's tax refund or added to the amount due. All donations are tax-deductible.

A fund must generate a minimum of $100,000 each year in order to appear on the next year's tax form.

Direct contributions also may be made to any of the department's special tax checkoff funds by sending a check to the Illinois Department of Public Health, P.O. Box 4263, Springfield, IL 62708. Checks should be payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the designated fund should be clearly noted on the check.

[Text from Illinois Department of Public Health news release received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]