SACRAMENTO – California taxpayers could lend a helping hand to fund cancer research simply by checking a box on their state income tax forms under a bill by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) that was approved today by the Senate Revenue & Taxation Committee on a 6-1 vote.
The bill, AB 2518, adds the California Cancer Center Research Fund to the state income tax form´s voluntary contributions section.
"The voluntary contributions made by taxpayers will assist non-profit organizations to conduct new research to fight this disease, increase cancer prevention strategies and help survivors live longer, stronger and better lives," Majority Leader Torrico said.
The state Department of Public Health would distribute grants to qualifying cancer research centers in California. The grants would be used to generate research on the causes and treatments for cancer, undertake community-based education, and provide culturally sensitive and appropriate prevention and awareness activities targeted toward communities that are disproportionately at risk or afflicted by cancer.
AB 2518 is sponsored by the Northern California Cancer Center, a non-profit organization committed to reducing the burden of cancer. It is also supported by Washington Hospital Healthcare System, Stanford University Cancer Center, the City of Fremont, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum and the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, among others.
Since its founding in 1974, the NCCC has studied the disease and advanced the public´s understanding of cancer through presentations and outreach. It is one of several cancer centers in California that would be eligible for grant funding.
"The Northern California Cancer Center provides critical information and research to help fight cancer," Assembly Member Torrico said. "For more than three decades, it has steadily improved our knowledge of this disease."
The NCCC runs the award-winning Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry that tracks cancer incidence and mortality in the nine Bay Area counties. It also conducts original epidemiological research to understand who gets cancer and why. The center runs outreach programs that promote prevention, improve the lives of those living with cancer and support survivors.
More than one million Californians are diagnosed with cancer. That figure will climb as the number of Californians entering the age of highest risk for cancer is expected to rise at an unprecedented rate in the coming decade.
The bill, AB 2518, adds the California Cancer Center Research Fund to the state income tax form´s voluntary contributions section.
"The voluntary contributions made by taxpayers will assist non-profit organizations to conduct new research to fight this disease, increase cancer prevention strategies and help survivors live longer, stronger and better lives," Majority Leader Torrico said.
The state Department of Public Health would distribute grants to qualifying cancer research centers in California. The grants would be used to generate research on the causes and treatments for cancer, undertake community-based education, and provide culturally sensitive and appropriate prevention and awareness activities targeted toward communities that are disproportionately at risk or afflicted by cancer.
AB 2518 is sponsored by the Northern California Cancer Center, a non-profit organization committed to reducing the burden of cancer. It is also supported by Washington Hospital Healthcare System, Stanford University Cancer Center, the City of Fremont, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum and the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, among others.
Since its founding in 1974, the NCCC has studied the disease and advanced the public´s understanding of cancer through presentations and outreach. It is one of several cancer centers in California that would be eligible for grant funding.
"The Northern California Cancer Center provides critical information and research to help fight cancer," Assembly Member Torrico said. "For more than three decades, it has steadily improved our knowledge of this disease."
The NCCC runs the award-winning Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry that tracks cancer incidence and mortality in the nine Bay Area counties. It also conducts original epidemiological research to understand who gets cancer and why. The center runs outreach programs that promote prevention, improve the lives of those living with cancer and support survivors.
More than one million Californians are diagnosed with cancer. That figure will climb as the number of Californians entering the age of highest risk for cancer is expected to rise at an unprecedented rate in the coming decade.
