Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Let's talk Postage and Cents. I would like to highlight a stamp that very few people are aware of. The BREAST CANCER STAMR This semi postal stamp went on sale in 1998. This wonderful stamp, "Fund the Fight. Find the Cure." First Class Stamp is currently on sale and will continue through 2011. A portion of the proceeds goes directly to breast cancer research. To date the postal service has sold 806 million breast cancer stamps. Raising more than $60.1 million for funding this cause. A sheet of 20 Breast Cancer stamps cost $11.00 with $2.80 going directly toward research. You may buy one for just 55 cents and is good for a 1 ounce first class letter.

I checked out a book at the Ida Rupp Public Library titled "Breast Cancer Answers" written by a survivor Judy King. Another great source of information is through the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS (227)-2345 as well as www.cancer.org. If you are one of the millions without health insurance there are many low fee, no fee mammograms available. BCCP (Breast & Cervical Cancer Project) offers a program called "A Women's 1st. Their funding is through Grants and they cover all of NW Ohio and can be reached at 1-800-929-6626 ext 143 or by email Lgrime@odh.ohio.pov.

Your local county health department can be a great source of information as well.

The biggest eye opener for me was finding abilities to avoid cancer. Poor lifestyle increases risk factors by 77%. Following healthier eating habits, not smoking or drinking alcohol would lower this number greatly. This is not only a female disease. Approximately 400 men each year die from breast cancer.

Self-breast exams monthly could help find abnormal growth at an early stage. Talk to your health care professional with any questions you may have. Knowledge is power!

Stamps may be purchased 24/7 at usps.com or 1-800-stamp24.

Michelle R. Blaha,

Sales and Service, United States Postal Service