Dollars Raised Through Voluntary Check-Off Will Be Matched by The Prostate Cancer Foundation

NEW YORK and SANTA MONICA Aug. 3, 2004 -- Governor George E. Pataki and Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno today announced that the Governor has signed into law legislation that will create a new voluntary check-off box on State income tax forms, which will allow New York citizens and businesses to donate to prostate cancer research and prevention efforts.

The Governor and Majority Leader also announced that the funds raised by the new check-off box will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Prostate Cancer Foundation -- a not-for-profit foundation chaired by philanthropist and financier Mike Milken.  This represents the first time that matching private funds will be used to support this type of effort.

"We're proud of our efforts to support cancer research, detection and education across the State, which are helping New Yorkers prevent and detect the disease, and making new strides in the battle for a cure," Governor Pataki said.  "This new law will build on our strong record of fighting cancer by ensuring that men diagnosed with this potentially life-threatening disease receive the quality health care they need and deserve."

"The creation of a new voluntary tax check-off box will provide additional financial support to fight prostate cancer, advance medical research in the field and enhance New Yorkers' awareness of the life-saving importance of early detection through screening," the Governor added.

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said, "This law is a product of the New York State Roundtable on Prostate Cancer, a meeting of the State's leading cancer experts co-hosted by Mike Milken and myself earlier this year.  I thank Governor George Pataki and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for partnering with the Senate on this critical legislation to unify and harness the efforts, energies and resources of the medical and research communities and other organizations in an effort to help prevent prostate cancer and save lives.  All New Yorkers owe a debt of gratitude to Mike Milken for his dedication and commitment to this effort."

Mike Milken, Founder and Chairman of the Prostate Cancer Foundation said, "In New York State alone more than 14,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year and, despite our best efforts, nearly 2,000 of those New Yorkers will die.  Through the work of the Prostate Cancer Foundation and others, we've made important progress in prevention, detection and treatment of this devastating disease.  But time is not on our side as baby boomers are reaching the age at which the rate of prostate cancer rises quickly.  That's why I am so grateful to Governor Pataki and Senator Bruno for their efforts to help establish this new fund and give us greater hope for an eventual cure."

Senator Jim Alesi said, "I commend the efforts of the Governor and Senator Bruno for once again demonstrating their great leadership by bringing this serious health care issue to the forefront.  This is a victory for both prostate cancer patients and research, as well as a landmark for health care in New York State.  I am further encouraged by this legislation because the prevention board is self-supporting and provides a means of generating funding for this most noble cause."

Under the new law, the funds raised through the tax return check-off donations will be directed to the newly-created New York State Prostate Cancer Research, Detection and Education Fund.  The money raised will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Prostate Cancer Foundation - a not-for-profit foundation chaired by philanthropist and financier Mike Milken.  The Foundation will direct its matching dollars to a newly created not-for-profit "New York State Coalition to Cure Prostate Cancer."

The tax return donation option will be available on individual and corporate tax returns beginning with the 2004 tax year.  The work of the new not-for-profit board and efforts to generate new funding for prostate cancer research is designed to work in tandem with existing cancer prevention programs.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation's commitment to match every dollar donated through the tax return check-off represents the first time that matching private funds will be used to finance this type of effort. Mike Milken's efforts to support a broad range of medical research and education began in the 1970s.  In 1982, he co-founded the Milken Family Foundation to support research on breast cancer, pediatric neurology disorders and other diseases.  Last year he launched FasterCures, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank dedicated to accelerating medical solutions for all serious diseases.

State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H., said, "Today's announcement demonstrates the Governor's and Senator Bruno's commitment to finding a cure for prostate cancer. This new legislation will offer critical support to the dedicated work of the medical and research communities to find a cure for prostate cancer.  The initiative will also support a statewide public awareness campaign stressing the importance of early detection of prostate cancer. Studies have proven that early detection of prostate cancer dramatically increases one's chance for survival and the ability to move on and live a healthy and productive life."

New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Commissioner Andrew S. Eristoff said, "Under Governor Pataki's leadership, New York's successful voluntary check-off program already offers taxpayers a convenient way to fund research, detection and education in the fight against breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease. By establishing this special fund to help treat and cure prostate cancer, we will increase the chances for early detection and prevention, leading to far fewer instances of this most common form of cancer among New York men."

The Prostate Cancer Foundation is dedicated to finding better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer.  Since its inception in 1993, the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) has become the world's largest philanthropic source of support for prostate cancer research. Further information is available at http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org.

Under Governor Pataki's leadership, New York State has a comprehensive strategy to battle prostate cancer.  It currently includes support for cancer awareness campaigns, detection, research, screening, and surveillance, along with counseling and support services -- including legal assistance -- to individuals and families facing cancer.  Its success is illustrated by the following:

- Since 1997, tens of thousands of men have been reached by a unique
program established by the Health Department with local health care
organizations and providers.

- Today, 30 community-based partnerships across the State continue to
provide colorectal screening and education about prostate health and
prostate cancer to under-served and uninsured men through this program.

- In 2001, marking "Prostate Cancer Awareness Month," the Department of
Health released a series of maps depicting new cases of prostate cancer
by ZIP code across the state.

- Prostate cancer maps are the latest component of the State's $4 million  
Cancer Surveillance Improvement Initiative. This program provides vital
data which inform all our efforts to understand the impact of cancer in
New York State and to fight it.

- In 2002, Health Commissioner Dr. Antonia Novello delivered a strong
message about the importance of prostate cancer awareness in a letter
she sent to primary care physicians, prostate cancer specialists, and
local initiatives statewide. A free patient education brochure prepared
and published by the State Health Department was included with that
letter.

- And just this past June, in conjunction with National Men's Health
Week, the Health Department used information from our prostate cancer
maps to target a new media campaign where it will do the most good - to
men over age 50 across the state, and in particular, in those areas
with the highest incidence of late-stage prostate cancer.

- Currently, in New York State, over 85 percent of prostate cancers are
being detected at an early stage, when they are most treatable.

Since 1995, New Yorkers have donated nearly $14 million to the special tax check-off funds, which include Return a Gift to Wildlife, Lake Placid Olympic Training Center Fund, Breast Cancer Research and Education Fund, Missing and Exploited Children Fund, and the Gift for Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Fund. The gifts qualify as tax deductible charitable contributions for taxpayers.

CONTACT:  Prostate Cancer Foundation, Erika Kirsten Beck 310 570-4705 ebeck@prostatecancerfoundation.org; or Justin Jackson, 212-213-0006, jjackson@burnsmc.com, for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.