Breast cancer legislation signed into law by governor

Senate Bill 445, sponsored by state Sen. Bob Mensch, R-24, was signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf on June 25, giving individuals renewing their vehicle registration or driver’s license an option to donate to the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.
Statistics show that one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and while not exclusive to women, breast cancer will count for over 276,000 new cases this year in the United States and almost 50,000 in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 445, also known as ‘Breast Cancer Checkoff’ legislation, will mirror similar processes set in statute which allow individuals to donate $5. There are currently options to donate to the Veterans’ Trust Fund, pediatric cancer research and the Keystone Tree Restricted Account.

“We all know someone that breast cancer has affected. Some in our chamber, some in our home lives, some in our families, some in our districts,” Mensch said. “Luckily for the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition has been a guiding light for finding a cure for breast cancer since 1993.”
“We are so grateful to Senator Mensch, Governor Wolf and to all of our Pennsylvania lawmakers for recognizing the desperate need for breast cancer research funding in our state,” said Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition President Pat Halpin-Murphy. “Today’s bill signing is a true victory for women and families facing breast cancer, and its impact will be felt for decades to come.”

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