At the Postal Service, we have learned that if you want to send a mighty message, you must wield a mighty tool. For more than 60 years, the Postal Service has helped raise awareness of important social causes through the issuance of tiny, yet powerful, postage stamps.

HELPING TO FIND A CURE
In 1998, we issued our nation’s first semi-postal stamp, the Breast Cancer Research stamp. It was created to call attention to and help find a cure for a disease that threatens the lives of hundreds of thousands of women and men each year — breast cancer. The net proceeds of this stamp above the cost of postage are earmarked for research. It’s a cause we are proud to champion.

Three years of sales have raised a net $22.3 million in voluntary contributions, with about $5.5 million of this amount being raised in 2001. Costs recovered to date total approximately $650,000. We expect to continue this effort since Congress has extended the sales period of the stamps for an additional two years.

The Breast Cancer Research stamp is valid as postage at the current First-Class rate. It sells for 40 cents with up to 6 cents per stamp going to designated research organizations — the National Institutes of Health and the Medical Program of the Department of Defense.

THE LOVING ACT OF ADOPTION
Each year, we honor a company or organization that uses the mail and works closely with postal employees to increase awareness of an important social issue. This year’s honoree, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, was recognized for using the Adoption Awareness postage stamp to highlight adoption.

Founded by Wendy’s restaurant owner, Dave Thomas, the Foundation’s commitment to adoption extends far beyond the borders of everyday business and into the hearts and lives of people. With its goal of making adoption work for children and parents, the foundation serves as an active voice for more than 122,000 children who are in the child welfare system. Its mission is clear: “Every child will have a permanent home and loving family.”

KNOW MORE ABOUT DIABETES
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, amputation, heart attack, stroke and kidney failure in both adults and children. It accounts for more than $105 billion of annual U.S. health care costs. It is a devastating disease for which there is no cure. But there is hope — through research and awareness.

We’re doing our part to encourage diabetes education and research sponsorship with the issuance of the Diabetes Awareness postage stamp. It serves as the focal point of our year-long diabetes awareness campaign, established with assistance from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, the American Diabetes Association, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Together, we’re working to turn hope into reality.