WHAT:
8th year, $1000+ BCR stamp purchase

WHO:
Postal Customer Eugene Platt, Station Manager Mary Griner, Charleston Postmaster Tim Shaw

WHERE:
James Island Post Office, 579 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412

WHEN:
Friday, Oct. 1, 11 a.m.

TALKING POINTS:

• For the eighth consecutive year, postal customer Eugene Platt will buy over $1000 ($1320) in Breast Cancer Research stamps to honor his wife, Mary, who succumbed to the disease in 2003.
• This is his annual tradition to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the media.
• This year, Postmaster General Jack Potter has written a letter of appreciation to Mr. Platt for a special presentation by Charleston Postmaster, Tim Shaw.
• Mr. Platt’s eight-year total is $9849.00
• He donates the stamps to area organizations that fight cancer, to help defray their mailing costs.
• The Breast Cancer Research stamp is a convenient, voluntary way for citizens to fight cancer.
• Deadly breast cancer strikes 1.3 million Americans annually.
• As of this year, the Breast Cancer Research stamp has raised $70.7 million.
• The 55-cent stamp comprises 44-cents First Class postage plus an 11-cents donation.
• The stamp was first issued in July, 1998, it is our country’s first, and now only semipostal stamp.
• The countries of Hungary, Belize, Grenada, Gambia, Kenya, and Micronesia also have the stamp, and 45 other countries are considering issuance.
• Congress must pass a new law to renew the stamp, as it expires on Dec. 31, 2011
• Don’t take it for granted--please contact your Congressman to ask for a bill.
• The stamps may be purchased at any Post Office—or online at the Postal Store on usps.com
• Funds go to the National Institutes of Health (70%) and the Department of Defense for grants to many organizations making significant advances in breast cancer research as well as new, innovative programs.

More: http://www.usps.com/communications/community/semipostals.htm

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ATTACHED: PMG letter copy

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